Gonzaga's Strawther delivers the ultimate homecoming gift with game winning 3 pointer!
Gonzaga's Julian Strawther emerged as the hero, in an electrifying match that could have been scripted for Hollywood, hitting a deep 3 point and converting a free throw in the final seven seconds to give the Bulldogs a thrilling 79-76 win over UCLA.
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The Las Vegas native said he felt like he was starring in his own movie, especially with the storyline of being down at halftime, coming back, taking a big lead, giving it up, and finally making a shot that would seal the deal.
The victory sends Gonzaga to the West Region final against UConn, and Strawther's clutch performance had fans on their feet and his teammates and coaches singing his praises. Drew Timme, who had an impressive 36-point and 13-rebound performance, called himself Strawther's "No. 1 fan forever," while coach Mark Few couldn't help but curse in excitement when Strawther asked if he could shoot the ball.
But the moment was even more poignant for Strawther, who lost his mother to breast cancer when he was just nine years old. He has a tribute to her tattooed on his left arm and chest, and after the game, he ran to a corner of the court to celebrate and shouted, "This is my city!" to the crowd.
For Strawther, it was a dream come true. "Literally, when you're a kid, you dream of making a shot like that," he said. "Especially in March Madness. And the cherry on top is being home in Vegas. Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now. It felt like a movie, you know?"
Indeed, it was a moment that will be remembered for years to come, not just for Gonzaga fans, but for anyone who loves the drama and excitement of college basketball. Strawther's heroics showed that in March Madness, anything is possible, and dreams can come true in the most unexpected ways.
Conclusion:
In the end, it was a storybook ending for Julian Strawther and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. They battled back from a halftime deficit, took a commanding lead, lost it, and then saw Strawther step up in the clutch and hit the game-winning shot. It was a moment that will be etched in NCAA tournament lore and cemented Strawther's status as a hometown hero. As the Bulldogs move on to face UConn, one thing is clear: anything can happen in March Madness, and with players like Strawther on the court, anything is possible.
