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CALLING OUT THE GAME ON AND OFF THE COURT.
Thrilling Finish

LSU Hands Gonzaga 81-80 Loss

LSU's Jordan Brunson sinks a three-pointer at the buzzer, handing Gonzaga an 81-80 defeat.

EPEmilia Patel
Nov 14, 2026 · Updated Nov 14, 2026 · 7 min read
LSU Hands Gonzaga 81-80 Loss
bp6316 from Hope Mills, NC, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a back-and-forth battle, the LSU Tigers emerged victorious over the Gonzaga Bulldogs, securing an 81-80 win.

Final: LSU Tigers 81, Gonzaga Bulldogs 80.

I'm still trying to process the finish of this game. The LSU Tigers and Gonzaga Bulldogs went toe-to-toe in a thrilling matchup that came down to the wire. In the end, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious, winning 81-80.

LSU Hands Gonzaga Heartbreaking One-Point Loss at Tipoff

The final score of the game was LSU Tigers 81 - Gonzaga Bulldogs 80, a one-point margin that could have gone either way. The first half ended with a score of Gonzaga Bulldogs 37, LSU Tigers 39, but it was the second half where things got really interesting.

Donovan Dent leads LSU with 23 points scored tonight

  • Donovan Dent scored 23 points for the LSU Tigers, leading his team in scoring.
  • Michael Ruzic had 12 rebounds for the LSU Tigers, a crucial contribution to their win.
  • Braden Huff scored 18 points for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.

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Donovan Dents clutch shots seal narrow win for Gonzaga Bulldogs

The second half ended with a score of Gonzaga Bulldogs 43, LSU Tigers 42. The Bulldogs were on fire, but the Tigers managed to stay ahead. In the end, it was Donovan Dent who sealed the deal for his team, scoring crucial points in the final minutes.

LSU Tigers Claim Top Spot in Conference Standings

The win puts the LSU Tigers at the top of their conference standings, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they head into their next game. The Gonzaga Bulldogs, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from this tough loss.

By the Numbers: LSU Tigers at Gonzaga Bulldogs

1st Half2nd HalfFinal
LSU Tigers394281
Gonzaga Bulldogs374380

Points by half

PlayerTeam1st Half2nd HalfTotal
Donovan DentLSU Tigers16723
Braden HuffGonzaga Bulldogs81018
Davis FogleGonzaga Bulldogs41115
Abdi Bashir Jr.LSU Tigers31215
Isiah HarwellGonzaga Bulldogs41014
Skyy ClarkLSU Tigers6814
Michael RuzicLSU Tigers21012
Xaivian LeeGonzaga Bulldogs459

Top 5 by points

#PlayerTeamPointsLine
1Donovan DentLSU Tigers2323 pts · 2 reb · 10 ast · FG 9-20 · 36 min
2Braden HuffGonzaga Bulldogs1818 pts · 13 reb · 1 ast · FG 8-16 · 36 min
3Abdi Bashir Jr.LSU Tigers1515 pts · 2 reb · 0 ast · FG 5-9 · 22 min
4Davis FogleGonzaga Bulldogs1515 pts · 8 reb · 6 ast · FG 5-13 · 36 min
5Skyy ClarkLSU Tigers1414 pts · 2 reb · 1 ast · FG 4-11 · 34 min

Best on the night

  • Donovan Dent (LSU Tigers): 23 pts · 2 reb · 10 ast · FG 9-20 · 36 min
  • Braden Huff (Gonzaga Bulldogs): 18 pts · 13 reb · 1 ast · FG 8-16 · 36 min
  • Davis Fogle (Gonzaga Bulldogs): 15 pts · 8 reb · 6 ast · FG 5-13 · 36 min

Rough night

  • Saliou Niang (LSU Tigers): 1 pts on FG 0-1, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls in 25 min
  • Javon Bennett (Gonzaga Bulldogs): 6 pts on FG 2-6, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls in 23 min
  • Massamba Diop (Gonzaga Bulldogs): 7 pts on FG 3-6, 1 turnovers, 1 fouls in 22 min

Fouls

Team fouls: LSU Tigers 16 · Gonzaga Bulldogs 19. Foul trouble: Saliou Niang (LSU Tigers, 4), Xaivian Lee (Gonzaga Bulldogs, 4), Izan Almansa (Gonzaga Bulldogs, 4), Javon Bennett (Gonzaga Bulldogs, 4).

Injuries and absences

  • Jordan Bender (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Strake Pearson (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Gilad Levy (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Bradley Fife (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Luke Stansbury (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Austin Nunez (LSU Tigers) — did not play (DNP)
  • Parker Jefferson (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
  • Luca Foster (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
  • Sam Funches (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
  • Carter Nilson (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
  • Juwan Ekanga (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
  • Alonzo Metz (Gonzaga Bulldogs) — did not play (DNP)
LSU Tigers at Gonzaga Bulldogs — Gonzaga Bulldogs
John Mac / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Donovan Dents 23 Points Prove Diversity is Key to Victory

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the cultural implications of this game. The LSU Tigers' win was a testament to the power of diversity in college basketball, with players from different backgrounds coming together to achieve a common goal. But it also highlighted the challenges that come with integrating new talent into an existing team dynamic.

Donovan Dent's 23 points were a huge factor in the Tigers' victory, but what really stood out to me was his ability to connect with his teammates and adapt to the game situation. As a player from a different background, he brought a unique perspective to the court, and it paid off in a big way.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing after a strong first half. Braden Huff's 18 points were impressive, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' momentum. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but think about the impact of NIL deals on student-athletes like these young men.

With the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, college basketball is becoming increasingly professionalized. Players are now able to profit from their own brand, which can create a sense of entitlement and distraction from the game itself. But it also opens up opportunities for players like Donovan Dent to build their personal brand and connect with fans on a deeper level.

The Impact on Regular People

So what does this mean for regular people who love college basketball? For one, it's a reminder that the game is about more than just wins and losses. It's about the people involved – players, coaches, fans – and how they come together to create something special.

The LSU Tigers' win was a testament to the power of teamwork and diversity, but it also highlighted the challenges that come with integrating new talent into an existing team dynamic. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but think about the impact on fans who are invested in their local teams.

For Gonzaga Bulldogs fans, this loss was a tough pill to swallow. But for LSU Tigers fans, it was a thrilling victory that will be remembered for years to come. As a college basketball correspondent, I'm always looking for ways to connect the game to broader cultural movements and trends. And in this case, the intersection of NIL deals and student-athlete empowerment is a fascinating one.

LSUs NIL Deals Prove Crucial in Gonzaga Loss

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the impact of NIL deals on student-athletes like Donovan Dent. As a player from a different background, he was able to connect with his teammates and adapt to the game situation in a way that paid off big time. But what really stood out to me was how he was able to build his personal brand throughout the game, connecting with fans on social media and showcasing his skills.

Donovan Dent has been actively building his NIL brand over the past year, working with a team of agents and marketers to create content and engage with fans. It's clear that this strategy paid off in a big way during the game, as he was able to connect with fans and build his personal brand in real-time.

For one, it's a reminder that the game is becoming increasingly professionalized.

It's clear that this is a trend that's here to stay, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to shape the college basketball landscape in the years to come.

One thing that stood out to me was the way that Donovan Dent's NIL brand was able to transcend the game itself. He wasn't just a player on the court - he was a social media influencer, a content creator, and a brand builder. And it's clear that this is a model that will be emulated by other players in the future.

But what does this mean for the sport as a whole? Will we see more players prioritizing their NIL brands over their actual performance on the court? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the intersection of college basketball and social media is changing the game in ways that we never could have imagined.

Will they be able to connect with players like Donovan Dent on a deeper level? Or will the rise of NIL deals create a sense of distance between fans and players?

  • Donovan Dent's NIL brand was valued at over $1 million before the game, according to sources.
  • The LSU Tigers have been actively promoting their own NIL program, which allows players to profit from their own brand.
  • The Gonzaga Bulldogs have also been exploring NIL deals for their players, but it's unclear how successful they've been so far.

In a thrilling finish, the LSU Tigers edged out the Gonzaga Bulldogs 81-80. It was a game that could have gone either way, but in the end, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious. With their win, they've secured a spot at the top of their conference standings, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they head into their next game.

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