No. 17 Gonzaga downs Davidson, claims Old Spice Classic crown

Orlando, FL – Elias Harris scored a game-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds, as No. 17 Gonzaga downed Davidson, 81-67, in the championship game of the 2012 Old Spice Classic.

Kevin Pangos added 23 points while connecting on 5-of-9 three-point attempts for the Bulldogs (6-0), who also captured the title of this event in 2008.

Kelly Olynyk contributed 14 points in the victory.

"That's just an unbelievably skilled team that is tough as nails and fights you on every possession," Gonzaga coach Mark few said about Davidson. "We had to respond several different times to get it going in our direction."

Nik Cochran paced Davidson (3-3) with 17 points, while Jake Cohen netted 13 and De'Mon Brooks poured in 12 as the Wildcats had their two-game win streak snapped.

"They've got some terrific offensive firepower," Davidson coach Bob McKillop said of Gonzaga. "They beat you at every spot. I thought they defend very well, too."

Davidson opened the game with a 13-4 run to take the early advantage, but the Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 spurt to knot the game at 15-15 near the midpoint of the first half.

After Cochran connected on a 3-pointer to halt the run and put the Wildcats back on top, Gonzaga outscored Davidson by a mark of 18-6 for the remainder of the half to carry a 33-24 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs connected on 42.3 percent of their shots over the first 20 minutes while holding Davidson to just 30 percent from the field, including a 2-for-11 mark from beyond the arc.

The Wildcats again raced out of the gate in the second half, opening the frame with a 9-2 push to close their gap to 35-33.

Davidson was held at arm's length from there until a quick, 7-2 spurt tied the game at 51-51 with a little over nine minutes left in the contest.

But then Pangos caught fire from long distance, connecting on four straight 3- pointers as part of a 23-12 run to put Gonzaga on top by double digits, 74-63, with less than three minutes to play.

The Wildcats never got closer than nine points from there as the Bulldogs cruised to the victory.

Game Notes

Gonzaga now leads the all-time series between the teams, 2-1 ... The Bulldogs shot 55.1 percent from the floor in the game ... Davidson finished shooting 36.2 percent ... Gonzaga held a 36-29 advantage on the glass.