Gonzaga zaps No. 3 Tigers for first loss

SEATTLE -- In recent years, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have shown they can compete with the top programs in the NCAA tournament.

Now they're doing it in the regular season.

Ronny Turiaf scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime and Blake Stepp added 14 points and 10 assists in No. 17 Gonzaga's dramatic 87-80 overtime victory over No. 3 Missouri on Saturday.

Freshman Adam Morrison scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half as Gonzaga (7-1) won its seventh straight. Since a season-opening loss to Saint Joseph's, the Bulldogs have beaten Georgia, Maryland and Missouri (3-1).

"This shows we can play with anybody in the country," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "I hope that's what people will walk away and say. When we're playing well, like we did today, we can play with anybody."

The Bulldogs fought back from deficits of 67-62 with four minutes to play in regulation and 79-75 with three minutes to go in overtime. And it was Turiaf who led both charges.

He backed into the paint and flipped the ball in for a basket that gave Gonzaga an 81-80 lead with 1:01 to play in overtime. Then at the other end, he drew an offensive foul on Missouri's Jimmy McKinney with 36 seconds remaining.

"Ronny lives for the moment," Few said. "The bigger the moment, the bigger he plays. For one reason or another, he slowly gets a feel early in the game and then he usually has a great second half."

Turiaf played the final 4:31 in regulation with four fouls. He even made a few trips to the center circle during breaks in play, waving his arms to keep the crowd involved.

"That's what Coach asks me to do -- be the energizer," Turiaf said. "I just tried to keep everybody fired up."

Rickey Paulding scored 23 points for Missouri, including a 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining in regulation that tied it at 73. Turiaf lost control of the ball on the ensuing possession, and the teams went to overtime.

Linas Kleiza had 16 points and 13 rebounds while Travon Byrant scored 13 for the Tigers.

"It was a high-level game for a December game," Missouri coach Quin Snyder said. "I thought we both played at a very high level."