SPORTS

Gonzaga survives Kennesaw State, advances to Round of 32

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PORTLAND, Ore. Gonzaga defeated Kennesaw State in the NCAA Tournament first round Thursday, advancing to face Texas in the Round of 32. Gonzaga, a No. 3 seed, overcame a slow offensive start and late-game fouls to win after a game-high 19 points from Graham Ike and double-double performance by Jalen Warley. Kennesaw State, a No. 14 seed, pressured Gonzaga early and saw key contributions from RJ Johnson and Amir Taylor. The Zags will travel to play No. 11 Texas on Saturday in the West Region. The game occurred at the Moda Center. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Jan. 14, 2026: Kennesaw State wins and Simeon Cottle later appears on an alleged point-shaving list.
Jan. 15, 2026: Gonzaga's Braden Huff sustains a left knee injury and is sidelined for multiple weeks.
Nov. 2025: Nate Oats prepared scouting materials for Gonzaga ahead of the Players Era Festival matchup.
March 18, 2026: Gonzaga (No. 3) faces Kennesaw State (No. 14) at Portland's Moda Center in the NCAA first round.
March 18–19, 2026: Gonzaga defeats Kennesaw State; the Bulldogs advance to play Texas in the Round of 32.

News Intelligence

If you're a college basketball fan, this game was a nail-biter. Gonzaga's slow start and late-game fouls kept things tense. But key performances from Ike and Warley pulled them through. Now, they're set to face Texas.

The Bottom Line

Gonzaga's win over Kennesaw State shows their resilience. Despite pressure and setbacks, they're advancing in the NCAA Tournament. Their next challenge? Texas. If you're a Gonzaga fan, it's time to rally. Send this to someone who loves a good underdog story.