Live-Blogging: 2021 Empire Classic-Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins

Gonzaga Bulldogs Game Notes

UCLA Bruins Game Notes

​Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on College Basketball’. Tonight, it is the Non-Conference Game of the 2021-22 Regular Season. As #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs and #2 UCLA Bruins square off in the Empire Classic.
 
This matchup is a rematch of last year’s national semifinal, where Jalen Suggs hit a buzzer-beating 3-point FG to win the game for Gonzaga.
 
It was the game of the year, last season. And one of the, if not, greatest game of all-time.
 
 
Now, these two teams square off in a non-conference schedule. It is the first ever #1 vs. #2 involving programs who reside in the Pacific Time Zone, in that time zone.
 
Returning from last year are Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez, and Johnny Juzang for the Bruins. While the Zags return Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard.
 
 
Bulldogs are led by Drew Timme in scoring. Chet Holmgren leads the Zags in rebounding, and Andrew Nembhard leads Gonzaga in assists.
 
For the Bruins, they are led by Johnny Juzang in scoring. Jaime Jaquez, Junior leads UCLA in rebounding. While Tyler Campbell leads the Los Angeles University in assists.
 
As for the team stats, Zags average 41.2 rebounds per game and 20.6 assists per game. While Bruins average 42.0 RPG and 18.6 APG.
 
It is Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins in the 2021 Empire Classic, coming up shortly.
 
Possible Starting Lineups:
Gonzaga Bulldogs:
G: A. Nembhard
G: R. Bolton
G: J. Strawther
F: D. Timme
C: C. Holmgren
 
 
UCLA Bruins:
G: T. Campbell
G: J. Juzang
G: J. Jaquez, Jr.
G: J. Bernard
C: M. Johnson

Zags are in their black uniforms. While Bruins are in their home white uniforms.

1st Half:
20:00: Bruins win tipoff, attacking left basket. While Zags to attack the right basket and have the possession arrow, in their favor.
19:29: M. Johnson with a layup. ZAGS 0, UCLA 2
18:42: Nembhard with a bank shot. ZAGS 2, UCLA 2
17:41: Holmgren with a layup. ZAGS 4, UCLA 2
17:04: Bolton makes 1 of 2 free throws. ZAGS 5, UCLA 2
16:31: Nembhard with a 3-point FG. ZAGS 8, UCLA 2
16:14: Juzang buries a 3-point FG. ZAGS 8, UCLA 5
16:00: Holmgren with a layup. ZAGS 10, UCLA 5
15:48: T.V. Timeout #1: ZAGS 10, UCLA 5

NCAA MBK Top 25 Scores:

15:48: M. Johnson makes 1 of 2 free throws. ZAGS 10, UCLA 6
15:41: Timme with a layup and foul. Timme makes a free throw. ZAGS 13, UCLA 6
15:12: Bolton makes a 3-point FG. ZAGS 16, UCLA 6
15:10: BRUINS TIMEOUT #1: ZAGS 16, UCLA 6
14:31: Juzang makes a jump shot. ZAGS 16, UCLA 8
14:08: Nembhard with a layup. ZAGS 18, UCLA 8
13:42: Strawther makes a 3-point FG. ZAGS 21, UCLA 8
12:40: Hickman makes a 3-point FG. ZAGS 24, UCLA 8
12:12: BRUINS TIMEOUT #2: ZAGS 24, UCLA 8

Last Year, I Live-Blogged Zags 83-65 Victory Over Creighton in NCAA West Regional Semifinals
​
10:32: Holmgren with a layup. ZAGS 26, UCLA 8
10:07: Bolton makes a 3-point FG. ZAGS 29, UCLA 8
9:42: M. Johnson with a hook shot. ZAGS 29, UCLA 10
8:59: Nembhard with a layup. ZAGS 31, UCLA 10
8:37: Nembhard with another layup. ZAGS 33, UCLA 10
8:36: BRUINS TIMEOUT #3: ZAGS 33, UCLA 10
7:55: Jaquez makes a jump shot. ZAGS 33, UCLA 12
7:17: T.V. Timeout #2: ZAGS 33, UCLA 12

NCAA MBK Top 25 Scores:​​

6:41: Bernard makes a jump shot. ZAGS 33, UCLA 14
5:32: ZAGS TIMEOUT #1: ZAGS 33, UCLA 14
5:16: Both teams are at 5 fouls.
4:49: Juzang drains a jump shot. ZAGS 33, UCLA 16
3:47: Holmgren buries a 3-point FG. ZAGS 36, UCLA 16
3:13: T.V. Timeout #3: ZAGS 36, UCLA 16

3:13: Bolton makes both free throws. ZAGS 38, UCLA 16
3:02: Campbell with a layup. ZAGS 38, UCLA 18
2:38: Strawther makes both free throws. ZAGS 40, UCLA 18
2:10: Jaquez buries a jump shot. ZAGS 40, UCLA 20
1:55: Timme makes both flagrant free throws. ZAGS 42, UCLA 20
1:26: Jaquez makes a layup and foul. Jaquez makes a free throw. ZAGS 42, UCAL 23
1:12: Nembard with a jump shot. ZAGS 44, UCLA 23
:50: Clark with a rebound and tipin. ZAGS 44, UCLA 25
;32.8: Both Teams are in the Bonus.
​:32.8: Timme makes 1 of 2 free throws ZAGS 45, UCLA 25
:00: The End of 1st Half. Gonzaga to inbound to start the 2nd Half.

Halftime:
ZAGS 45, UCLA 25

Halftime Leaders:
Scoring: Nembhard (ZAGS) 13 points
Rebounding: Timme/Strawther (ZAGS) 5 rebounds
Assists: Nembhard (ZAGS) 3 assists

Halftime Thoughts:
Zags shot 57.7% from the field. While UCLA shot 26.8%.

NCAA MBK Top 25 Scores:

2nd Half:
20:00: Gonzaga to inbound to start the 2nd Half, attacking the left basket. While Bruins will attack the right basket and have the possession arrow, in their favor.
18:30: Strawther with a jump shot. ZAGS 47, UCLA 25
17:34; Holmgren with a jam. ZAGS 49, UCLA 25
​17:11: Jaquez makes both free throws. ZAGS 49, UCLA 27
16:50: Campbell with a layup. ZAGS 49, UCLA 29
16:59: Nembhard drains a 3-point FG. ZAGS 52, UCLA 29
16:08: Jaquez with a layup. ZAGS 52, UCLA 31
15:51: Timme with a bank shot. ZAGS 54, UCLA 31
15:31: M. Johnson with a layup. ZAGS 54, UCLA 33
15:16: T.V. Timeout #4: ZAGS 54, UCLA 33
​
Last Year, I Live-Blogged Washington State 81-73 Victory Over UCLA in Pullman

14:54: Jaquez makes a layup. ZAGS 54, UCLA 35
14:21: Campbell makes both free throws. ZAGS 54, UCLA 37
14:06: Timme muscles a hook shot. ZAGS 56, UCLA 37
13:47: Jaquez makes a jump shot. ZAGS 56, UCLA 40
13:05: Strawther buries a 3-point FG. ZAGS 59, UCLA 40
12:39: Clark missed both free throws.
11:55: Clark draws a shooting foul.
11:55: T.V. Timeout #5: ZAGS 59, UCLA 40

​NCAA MBK Top 25 Scores:

11:55: Clark makes both free throws. ZAGS 59, UCLA 42
11:33: Timme with a jump shot. ZAGS 61, UCLA 42
10:59: Salias with a layup. ZAGS 63, UCLA 42
10:24: Bruins are in the Bonus.
10:24: Clark makes both free throws. ZAGS 63, UCLA 44
9:59: Nembhard with a jump shot. ZAGS 65, UCLA 44
9:37: Bruins are in the Double Bonus.
9:29: Timme with a layup. ZAGS 67, UCLA 44
9:07: Campbell called for a flagrant 1 foul.
9:07: Strawther missed both free throws.
8:38: Campbell makes a 3-point FG. ZAGS 67, UCLA 47
8:23: Strawther makes both free throws. ZAGS 69, UCLA 47
8:14: Campbell makes both free throws. ZAGS 69, UCLA 49
7:58: Timme with a layup. ZAGS 71, UCLA 49
7:28: Juzang drains a jump shot. ZAGS 71, UCLA 51
7:09: T.V. Timeout #6: ZAGS 71, UCLA 51

​7:09: Bernard makes 1 of 2 free throws. ZAGS 71, UCLA 52
6:41: Jaquez makes 1 of 2 free throws. ZAGS 71, UCLA 53
6:17: Holmgren makes 1 of 2 free throws. ZAGS 72, UCLA 53
5:46: Timme makes both free throws. ZAGS 74, UCLA 53
5:27: Juzang with a jump shot. ZAGS 74, UCLA 55
5:00: Nembhard with a layup. ZAGS 76, UCLA 55
3;41: Clark with a jam. ZAGS 76, UCLA 57
3:19: T.V. Timeout #7: ZAGS 76, UCLA 57

2:19: Bernard makes a layup. ZAGS 76, UCLA 59
1:40: Holmgren drains a 3-point FG. ZAGS 79, UCLA 59
1:28: Bernard makes a layup. ZAGS 79, UCLA 61
1:22: Nembhard makes both free throws. ZAGS 81, UCLA 61
​:25: Strawther makes both free throws. ZAGS 83, UCLA 61
:12: Jaquez makes a jump shot. ZAGS 83, UCLA 63
:00: The End of Game.

Final:
ZAGS 83, UCLA 63
ZAGS: (6-0)
UCLA: (5-1)

Final Leaders:
Scoring: Nembhard (ZAGS) 24 points
Rebounding: Strawther (ZAGS) 9 rebounds
Assists: Nembhard (ZAGS) 6 assists

Final Thoughts:
Bulldogs learned from last year's game. They got their scoring from Andrew Nembhard. Gonzaga also got a defensive presence from Chet Holmgren, who had 4 blocks tonight.

For the Bruins, they were out of sync and couldn't find an answer to Gonzaga's Offense.

Bulldogs will stay in Vegas, to face Duke on Friday. While UCLA will also stay in Vegas, to face UNLV.

Before I go, I am glad to see ESPN Color Analyst Dick Vitale, for calling tonight's game, while battling against cancer. I wish him the best.

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on College Basketball'. Thanks for visitng this page.