by SPOKANE, Wash. — Zach Norvell Jr. scored 20 points to lead No. 7 Gonzaga to a commanding 96-51 victory over North Alabama in a college basketball game on Friday night.
Norvell also finished with five assists, four rebounds and three steals for the Bulldogs (12-2) who stayed unbeaten at home this season and registered their 13th straight win at home.
Brandon Clarke collected and double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four blocks and three steals for Gonzaga (12-2), which opened the contest with a 29-1 run and led 48-14 at halftime.
Rui Hachimura had 14 points and six rebounds, Josh Perkins scored 13 and Corey Kispert ended with 10 for the Bulldogs, who looked fully energized after a being competitively inactive for a week over the Christmas break.
“We did a great job of dictating the offense and defense,” Zaga coach Mark Few said. “We played with good energy.”
Christian Agnew led North Alabama with 18 points on 7 of 13 shooting with four rebounds.
Jamari Blackmon added 14 points and Kendarius Smith had 11 in the defeat for the Lions (3-11), who are still searching for their first win over a Division I opponent, following their introduction to D-I basketball this year.
As a team, North Alabama shot just 32.7 percent (18 of 55) from the field and went a minor 4 for 19 from 3-point range.
Gonzaga shot 54 percent (34 of 63) as a team in the win, but was only 9 for 24 from long-range.
North Alabama returns to action on Sunday at Eastern Illinois.
Gonzaga, which beat Duke earlier this year and was ranked No. 1 for two weeks this season, entertains Cal State-Bakersfield on Monday to wrap up its nonconference schedule.
