No. 8 Gonzaga improves to 11-0, beats Tennessee 86-76

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Nigel Williams-Goss scored 20 points and No. 8 Gonzaga remained undefeated by holding off Tennessee 86-76 on Sunday.

Gonzaga (11-0) hadn’t played since Dec. 10 and looked strong as the Bulldogs scored the first eight points and never trailed. They led at 27-6 on a jumper by Zach Collins with 12:06 left, 43-29 at halftime and 64-48 midway through the second half.

Tennessee (6-5) went on a 10-3 run and got within 75-71 on a jumper by Robert Hubbs III with 2:26 left.

Josh Perkins then hit a jumper and Gonzaga held on for its fourth straight win in the five games between these teams.

This was billed as the Battle of Broadway played at Bridgestone Arena, so technically it was a neutral court – except for all the fans wearing Tennessee orange in the seats.

Perkins finished with 15 points, Jordan Mathews added 13 and Przemek Karnowski 10 for Gonzaga.

Detrick Mostella led Tennessee with 17 points and Hubbs had 10.

BIG PICTURE

Gonzaga: The Bulldogs came in as one of six undefeated teams in the Top 25. … They improved to 12-8 all-time against Southeastern Conference teams and 2-0 this season. Gonzaga beat Florida last month. … With 7-1 center Karnowski and 6-9 Johnathan Williams, the Bulldogs outrebounded Tennessee 42-38.

Tennessee: This was the Vols’ fourth game in eight days, a stretch that started a week ago with a 73-71 loss in Chapel Hill to No. 7 North Carolina. … Coach Rick Barnes now is 0-5 against Gonzaga and 0-4 against Zags coach Mark Few. … Freshman Grant Williams scored 30 points in the Vols’ last game and finished with 11.

UP NEXT

Gonzaga: The Bulldogs host South Dakota on Wednesday.

Tennessee: At East Tennessee State on Thursday night.