No. 3 Gonzaga dominates Long Beach State, 84-41

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Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Michael Ajayi (1) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) shoots next to Ben Gregg, left, and Long Beach State forward Derrick Michael Xzavierro (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) secures a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard, second from the left, drives to the basket while pressured by Long Beach State guard Kam Martin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga head coach Mark Few directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Long Beach State, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Long Beach State head coach Chris Acker directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle, right, shoots while pressured by Long Beach State forward Derrick Michael Xzavierro (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Graham Ike, right, shoots while pressured by Long Beach State forward Austin Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

By CAM McCANN

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Graham Ike and Khalif Battle each had 15 points as No. 3 Gonzaga routed Long Beach State 84-41 on Wednesday night.

Ryan Nembhard added 10 points and seven assists for the Bulldogs (5-0), who have opened with five straight wins for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

Gonzaga’s bench provided 32 points, including 12 from Braden Huff and 10 from Dusty Stromer. Huff has scored in double figures in every outing this season.

Long Beach State’s leading scorer, Devin Askew, had 12 points. The senior was averaging 17.3 per game.

Takeaways

Gonzaga: While the Zags have scored 80 points in every game, they’ve shot better than 40% from beyond the arc twice and under 35% from 3-point territory in the other three games.

Long Beach State: In coach Chris Acker’s first season, Long Beach State (1-4) is off to its worst start since the 2020-21 season. Struggling to find its footing on offense, Acker’s squad shot 31.5% from the field and 10% from 3-point range against Gonzaga.

Key moment

Battle’s 3-pointer with 7:40 left before halftime gave Gonzaga a 33-9 cushion. Long Beach State failed to get an offensive rebound until the 9:15 mark of the first half.

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Key stats

Askew was 2 for 6 on 3s but his Long Beach State teammates went 0 for 14. Junior transfer TJ Wainwright, who entered 9 of 21 from outside the arc, missed all six of his attempts.

Up next

Gonzaga: Heads to the Battle 4 Atlantis to play West Virginia next Wednesday.

Long Beach State: Will host Fresno State on Saturday.

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