In the first ever college basketball game played at the Intuit Dome, the biggest rivalry out on the West Coast continues to cause stress to all Gonzaga and UCLA fans. This game was chippy throughout as these two programs don’t like each other. Due to the physicality, some questionable flagrant calls (and lack thereof at one specific point in the closing minutes) were made by the referee crew.
Ryan Nembhard had some early chemistry with Khalif Battle (5 points on 2-4 FG/1-3 3PT in 13 minutes) in the backcourt, pushing the pace while looking for quick buckets. That was right before the Battle ejection where he wrapped his arms around Eric Dailey Jr.’s (18 points on 5-10 FG/4-5 3PT/4-6 3PT, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) neck.
A dangerous decision and not a basketball play. The outcome of this game would have been much different if Battle was out there for the Zags. The refs continued with a flagrant 1 call on Michael Ajayi on the swing through move which hit the chin of Tyler Bilodeau (7 points on 2-10 FG/1-4 3PT, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 turnovers) early in the second half.
The most frustrating of the bunch had to be the no-call down the late stretch on the Sebastian Mack and-one drive where he clearly elbowed Emmanuel Innocenti in the face. Props to the Tarleton State transfer who has absolutely stepped up when his name has been called off the bench by coach Mark Few. After review, the foul on the play is upgraded to a flagrant one pic.
twitter.com/84UWs7ime5 SEBASTIAN MACK AND ONE!.