Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 21st
It was not pretty. It was not easy. It was not what was expected.
Gonzaga got a dogfight from Southern in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but the 1-seed Bulldogs survived a scare in a 64-58 win in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a game that wasn't sealed until Kevin Pangos hit a corner 3-pointer in the final minute and then stood stout on defense.
Southern stayed close with Gonzaga in the first half on the strength of 48 percent shooting from the field. The Jaguars trailed just 34-31 at intermission.
That's when the Kelly Olynyk show started, though. The Wooden Award Finalist scored 17 of his 21 points after halftime, as the Bulldogs started looking more to the 7-footer.
But the Jaguars just didn't go away. With just minutes to go, a pair of free throws tied the game for Southern, 54-54. After another Gonzaga basket, Southern hit tough jumper to knot the game at 56-56.
But Gary Bell Jr. responded with a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs up, 59-56. Bell fouled Derick Beltran on the ensuing possession, and he hit a pair of free throws. That would be the final points the Jaguars would score, as the Bulldogs squeaked out the win.
Pangos responded to the free throws with a corner 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs up, 62-58. A couple defensive stops sealed the win.
The Bulldogs take on Wichita State on Saturday.
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