In an exciting matchup on Wednesday night, Gonzaga took on Campbell at the McCarthey Athletic Center, just before the Bulldogs faced Oregon in their last nonconference game. With students away for the Christmas break, the normally vibrant atmosphere was subdued as fans slowly filled the stands.
The game started with a bit of a slow burn as both teams settled in, but Gonzaga soon found their rhythm. Despite a determined effort from Campbell, who aimed for a significant upset, the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half, ultimately winning the game 98-70. A standout performance came from Braden Huff, who notched a career-high 37 points, a feat that proved crucial for Gonzaga.
“It was his normal B-Huff,” said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few after the game. “We needed every one of them there for a while. He was just incredibly efficient.”
Campbell showed resilience, managing to cut a 19-point deficit to just 10 after an 8-0 run midway through the second half. The Camels” D.J. Smith made some clutch shots, and their aggressive ball pressure kept the game competitive. However, they struggled to contain Huff, who consistently dominated the paint.
Huff”s performance was historic; he became the first Gonzaga player under Few”s leadership to start a game 13-for-13 from the field, finishing the night with 16 successful shots out of 18 attempts, breaking the McCarthey Athletic Center record for most field goals made in a game.
“He handled their myriad of fronts and digs and double teams and just the physical play kind of the whole game, and yet still delivered,” Few added. “He certainly delivered.”
In the final stretch, Gonzaga outscored Campbell 26-8, asserting their dominance and securing their 11th double-digit victory of the season. Few acknowledged Huff”s all-around contributions, emphasizing the importance of his defensive efforts alongside his scoring prowess.
“It”s his effort and his heart and again, same thing — we needed every one of those plays,” Few remarked. “Just his steals, his defensive pressure. I mean, he was guarding guys four or five inches taller than him and outweighing him by a lot. Just great effort, great heart.”
Looking ahead to their matchup against Oregon, Few noted the challenges posed by the Ducks, highlighting their athleticism and talent, particularly with players like Jackson Shelstad. “It”s going to be a really, really big game,” he said. “We”ve had an incredible nonleague season here so far.”
