If you had San Francisco as a 16.5-point road underdog last night at Gonzaga, we’ve been there, feel your pain and hope you find solace in an improbable winner to get that one back in the coming days.
I mean, really? Gonzaga had not been ahead of the number for 39 minutes and 58.5 seconds. In fact, the Dons led 31-22 at halftime.
However, Gonzaga held San Francisco scoreless for the first six minutes and 34 seconds of the second half. Nevertheless, the Dons trailed by only 11 with 1:21 remaining.
Three Gonzaga free throws in two possessions put it ahead by 14 with 42 ticks left. Then San Francisco missed a 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining.
Next, there was a dead-ball situation for Gonzaga on the sidelines in the front court with 3.5 seconds remaining (and two seconds left on the shot clock). Would Mark Few’s team take the shot-clock violation or fire away?
At this point, you know the answer. Here’s the evidence below…
Corey Kispert’s 3-pointer from the corner off the inbound pass caught nothing but nylon.
Gonzaga plays at BYU tomorrow night. It had appeared as if the Bulldogs were going to fall victim to the look-ahead situation and fail to cover vs. San Francisco.
That’s what happened to the Cougars, who pulled away to beat Santa Clara 85-75 last night. They failed to cover the number as 14.5-point home ‘chalk.’
Another Bad Beat from Thursday came in the NBA, as Brooklyn lost by eight at Philadelphia in overtime as a seven-point underdog.