Timme scores 26 as Gonzaga beats Northern Illinois 88-67

SPOKANE, Wash. - Drew Timme scored 26 points and No. 15 Gonzaga beat Northern Illinois 88-67 on Monday night, extending the nation’s longest home win streak to 71 games.

Ben Gregg had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Zags (8-3), and fellow reserve Malachi Smith finished with 14 points. Timme went 9 for 15 from the field and 8 for 9 at the line.

Gonzaga’s 71-game streak matches the longest by any team since 1985. Arizona won 71 straight between 1987-92 before its streak was halted by UCLA.

Gonzaga’s next home game is Dec. 20 against Montana.

Keshawn Williams scored 25 points for Northern Illinois (3-7), and Anthony Crump had 20.

In the first ever matchup between the schools, Gonzaga used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to pull away.

Gonzaga never trailed and led by as many as 21. The Zags converted 15 Northern Illinois turnovers into 17 points and outscored the Huskies 44-24 in the paint.

BIG PICTURE

Northern Illinois: The Huskies have dropped three of their last four games — all on the road — and haven’t beaten a ranked opponent since 2019. NIU will play three of its next four on the road, with conference play beginning at Akron on Jan. 3.

Gonzaga: The Bulldogs have three more nonconference games before tipping off conference play against Pepperdine on Dec. 31 at home.

UP NEXT

Northern Illinois: At Virginia Commonwealth.

Gonzaga: On the road at No. 4 Alabama.