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Downs helps Gonzaga revive the offense

Dec 9, 2007 - 6:04 AM SPOKANE, Washington (Ticker) -- Micah Downs helped Gonzaga rebound from its rare offensive woes.

Downs scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half as the No. 19 Bulldogs rolled past Cal State Northridge, 85-59, on Saturday.

Matt Bouldin added 18 points for Gonzaga (8-2), which was held to a decade-low point total in a 51-47 loss to sixth-ranked Washington State on Wednesday. The last time that the Bulldogs failed to score at least 50 points was in a 71-47 loss at Southern Utah on December 23, 1996.

"There is a reason why this team (Gonzaga) is as good as they are," Matadors coach Bobby Braswell said. "They have a great environment with their fan base and the support that they get. That's why we scheduled this game. It's an opportunity to learn."

The setback was also just the second home loss in the last four seasons for Gonzaga. The 6-8 Downs shot 4-of-6 from the floor with three 3-pointers in the first half as the Bulldogs raced to a 45-30 advantage at the half.

After shooting just 26 percent (15-of-58) from the field against Washington State, Gonzaga shot at a 51.5 percent (17-of-33) clip in the opening 20 minutes as it nearly matched the output from its previous game.

The Bulldogs slumped some in the second half, but managed to build up a 28-point lead. Bouldin had 10 points after the break.

Bouldin, the team's leading scorer who was held without a point on 0-of-9 shooting against Washington State, scored 10 points in the second half.

Deon Tresvant had 15 points for the Matadors (6-2), who shot 37 percent (22-of-60) and were outrebounded by a 50-29 margin.

"It all came down to one thing toughness," Braswell said. "We got exposed from a toughness standout. You're not going to win many games when you get outrebounded, 50-29."