LSU Rallies Past Gonzaga on Dent’s Late Three

LSU erased a late 13-point deficit to defeat No. 14 Gonzaga 81-80 at Spokane Arena on November 14, the first meeting between the programs. Donovan Dent’s three-pointer with 1.5 seconds left gave the Tigers the lead. Gonzaga’s Davis Fogle missed a final attempt at the buzzer.

Dent finished with 23 points and 10 assists for LSU, which improved to 4-0. Abdi Bashir Jr. scored 15 points, Skyy Clark had 14 and Michael Ruzic added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Bashir made five of eight three-point attempts.

Braden Huff led Gonzaga with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Fogle contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Bulldogs, now 2-1, shot 44.6% from the field and made nine of 14 free throws. They missed all seven of their first-half three-point attempts.

Gonzaga took control after halftime, building a 68-55 advantage with 7:40 remaining. LSU chipped away, with Bashir’s outside shooting helping bring the Tigers closer. Clark’s two free throws made it 79-78 with 1:13 left. Fogle then converted one of two free throws with 13 seconds to go, putting Gonzaga ahead 80-78 before Dent’s decisive shot.

LSU is scheduled to host UL Monroe on Wednesday. Gonzaga’s next game is against Montana State on Tuesday at the McCarthey Athletic Center.