Zach Norvell Jr. scored 20 points and No. 7 Gonzaga started with a 29-1 run against North Alabama in a 96-51 victory on Friday night, the Bulldogs’ 13th straight win at home.

Brandon Clarke had 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three steals for Gonzaga (12-2), which was ranked No. 1 for two weeks earlier this season. Rui Hachimura added 14 points, Josh Perkins scored 13 and Corey Kispert had 10.

Christian Agnew scored 18 for North Alabama (3-11), which is in its first year of Division I basketball and is still seeking its first win over a D-I opponent.

For the second consecutive game, taller and quicker Gonzaga overwhelmed an opponent early.

The Zags went ahead 29-1 in the first seven minutes, making nine of their first 12 shots.

North Alabama did not make a field goal until nearly eight minutes were gone in the first, when Agnew scored.

The Lions’ second basket, also by Agnew, came four minutes later and they trailed 35-6.

Norvell’s basket put the Zags up 47-6 as North Alabama made just two of its first 20 shots.

Gonzaga led 48-14 at halftime after holding the Lions to 18.5 percent shooting, including 0 of 9 from 3-point range. North Alabama had two shot-clock violations and 10 turnovers in the first half.

North Alabama went on an 11-5 run to open the second half, cutting Gonzaga’s lead to 53-25, but the Lions could not get closer.

BIG PICTURE

North Alabama: The Lions were a longtime Division II power, including national titles in 1979 and 1991. … While all three of their victories are against lower-division foes, they have been competitive in several games. … Freshman Jamari Blackmon, who came in leading the Lions in scoring at 16.2 points per game, finished with 14 points.

Gonzaga: This is the first Atlantic Sun Conference opponent the Zags have faced. … The Bulldogs were coming off a 101-40 win over Denver last Friday, with the 61-point victory margin the largest in program history. … The Zags came in averaging 93.9 points per game to 65.8 for North Alabama. … Gonzaga leads the nation with 257 assists.

UP NEXT

North Alabama plays at Eastern Illinois on Sunday.

Gonzaga wraps up its nonconference schedule against Cal State-Bakersfield on Monday. The game may see the return of guard Geno Crandall, who has missed a month with a hand injury.

___

Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) shoots in front of North Alabama guards Jamari Blackmon, left, and Aleksa Matic during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) shoots in front of North Alabama guards Jamari Blackmon, left, and Aleksa Matic during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga forward Jeremy Jones, left, and North Alabama guard Kendall Stafford go after the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga forward Jeremy Jones, left, and North Alabama guard Kendall Stafford go after the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura (21) shoots in front of North Alabama forward Emanuel Littles during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura (21) shoots in front of North Alabama forward Emanuel Littles during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
North Alabama guard Christian Agnew (2) shoots while defended by Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
North Alabama guard Christian Agnew (2) shoots while defended by Gonzaga forward Filip Petrusev during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) shoots while defended by North Alabama forward Emanuel Littles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) shoots while defended by North Alabama forward Emanuel Littles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Source: The Associated Press

Tags: Categories: Basketball Sports