SPOKANE, Wash. – For 20 minutes, Yale and Gonzaga played a game more reminiscent of March than early November. The No. 11 Zags, though, started the second half with a strong run and held off the pesky Bulldogs for an 86-71 win before a raucous crowd of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
 
It was the season-opener for Gonzaga, while Yale (1-1) suffered its first loss of the season.
 
STRONG START
 
Yale got off to a great start. A Matt Knowling three-point play had the Bulldogs in front 16-6 after four minutes.
 
ENTERTAINING FIRST HALF
 
There were eight lead changes and eight ties in a very well-played opening 20 minutes. Yale shot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from the field in the first half, while the Zags were at 48.5 percent (16-of-33). The Bulldogs were 4-of-10 from three-point range, while Gonzaga connected on 5 of its 8 shots from long range.
 
TURNING POINT
 
In front 47-42 at the break, the Zags scored the first six points of the second half to push their lead to 53-42. Yale closed to within seven, 55-48, on a Yassine Gharram layup off a turnover, but Gonzaga answered with a 13-3 run to seize control.
 
SCORING LEADERS
 
John Poulakidas scored a team-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He was one of four Bulldogs to score in double figures. August Mahoney finished with 12 points, while Bez Mbeng and Nick Townsend each scored 10. Knowling contributed nine points, and Gharram had eight points and three assists in 18 minutes off the bench.
 
Braden Huff scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting to lead Gonzaga.
 
KEY STATS
 
Gonzaga's defense limited the Bulldogs to 35.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half. The Zags, with a very strong front court, also had a 42-28 rebounding edge.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Bulldogs remain on the West Coast to face Loyola Marymount on Sunday. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. EST from Los Angeles.