Zags' Strawther named WCC Player of the Week

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Gonzaga junior Julian Strawther, who scored a career-high 40 points in the Bulldogs' 82-67 win at Portland on Saturday, was named the West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Strawther's previous career high was 23 points was set earlier this season against Xavier with a then career-high five made 3-pointers. At Portland, he made made 14 of 21 from the field, including 8 of 12 from behind the arc. His eight made 3s were the most since Corey Kispert matched Dan Dickau's and Kevin Pangos' program record of nine against Virginia in the 2020-21 season.

Strawther was the first Zag to score 40 points in a game since Kyle Wiltjer totaled 45 points at Pacific on Feb. 19, 2016. His 40 points were the second-most by a WCC player this season. San Diego’s Eric Williams Jr. had 43 versus Utah State on Nov. 17. Strawther is the fourth player under Mark Few to score 40 points in a game joining Adam Morrison (five times), Ronny Turiaf and Wiltjer.

Strawther is 13th in the West Coast Conference averaging 14.7 points per game. The Las Vegas native also averages seven rebounds, which ranks seventh.

Zags' Timme named to Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List

LOS ANGELES — Gonzaga's Drew Timme was named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 Watch List on Monday.

Timme is eight points from becoming Gonzaga’s third 2,000-point scorer and 24 points from moving to second all-time on the GU career scoring list. He is averaging a West Coast Conference-best 21.4 points per game on 60.8 percent shooting from the field, which also tops the league.

Timme's 21.4 points per game ranks eighth in the nation. He is third in NCAA Div. 1 with 188 made field goals and seventh with 471 total points.