Offensive struggles prevent NIU upset of No. 15 Gonzaga

Bench scoring struggles and turnovers plague NIU in loss

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor|December 13, 2022

Courtesy Gonzaga Athletics

NIU redshirt senior forward Anthony Crump attempts to defend against a shot by Gonzaga University senior forward Drew Timme during Monday’s game. The Huskies failed to deliver an upset to the No. 15 Gonzaga, allowing the Bulldogs to extend their home winning streak to 71 games. (Courtesy Gonzaga Athletics)

The NIU men’s basketball team was defeated by No. 15 Gonzaga University 88-67 on Monday in its first ever meeting with the Bulldogs. Gonzaga extended its home winning streak to 71 games, the longest active home winning streak in the NCAA.

A backdoor alley oop dunk from junior guard Keshawn Williams and a chasedown block from redshirt senior forward Anthony Crump highlighted the first half for the Huskies. NIU trailed Gonzaga 36-30 to end the first half.

“We came here to win just like any other team,” Williams said. “We’re playing a top 15 team, their legacy is strong. They’ve been a top 15 team for as long as I can remember.”

Williams led the way for the Huskies, scoring 25 points and recording eight rebounds and three assists.

“He’s (Williams) a high major talent,” NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno said. “I think the sky’s the limit for Keshawn.”

Crump had a strong game for NIU as well, posting 20 points and eight rebounds. Crump said he enjoyed playing against one of the top teams in the country despite the loss.

“It was just really fun playing against them (the Bulldogs),” Crump said. “My coaches gave me a lot of confidence to do my thing, play hard and be aggressive…I played in a lot of big games, but this is by far one of the biggest I’ve ever played in against a team of this caliber.”

After leading by just six points to end the first half, the Bulldogs blew the game open in the second half. Gonzaga outscored NIU 52-37 to finish the game, as senior forward Drew Timme led the Bulldogs with 26 points and six rebounds. Timme is the 23rd highest scoring player in the NCAA, averaging 20 points per game.

The Huskies played solid on the defensive end, forcing the Bulldogs to shoot just 46% from the field and 30% from the three-point range.

The problems for NIU came on the offensive side of the ball, where they recorded 15 turnovers. Gonzaga scored 17 points off turnovers as compared to NIU scoring just four points off turnovers.

“They (the Bulldogs) feed off turnovers,” Crump said. “You really can’t give up possessions to them. We got to clean up our ball handling and our passing.”

NIU freshman guard Armandas Plintauskas plays defense against Gonzaga University redshirt junior guard Malachi Smith during NIU’s out-of-conference matchup with the Bulldogs on Monday in Spokane, Washington. Plintauskas was one of two players to score off the bench for NIU. (Courtesy Gonzaga Athletics)

NIU’s bench was outscored 42-6, a lingering problem for the Huskies. Freshman guard Armandas Plintauskas and junior forward Harvin Ibarguen were the only bench scorers for the Huskies.

The Huskies will play one more road game against Virginia Commonwealth University before returning home at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast via radio on The Varsity Network.