Gonzaga headed back to Sweet 16 after 87-68 win over Iowa

Gonzaga players react from the bench after the team scored against Iowa during the second half of an NCAA tournament college basketball game in the Round of 32 in Seattle, Sunday, March 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Gonzaga players react from the bench after the team scored against Iowa during the second half of an NCAA tournament college basketball game in the Round of 32 in Seattle, Sunday, March 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

By Associated Press March 22, 2015 3 min read

SEATTLE (AP) – Kyle Wiltjer and Kevin Pangos met at halfcourt for a hug and a high five. Gone are the questions about Gonzaga’s five-year run of failing to advance from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs are back in the Sweet 16.

Wiltjer scored 13 of his 24 points during Gonzaga’s flawless first half, Domantas Sabonis added 18 points and the second-seeded Bulldogs advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2009 with a 87-68 win over No. 7 seed Iowa in a South Region matchup on Sunday.

After five straight departures on the first weekend, the Bulldogs (34-2) are back in the regional semifinals, thanks to an efficient offensive performance in the first 20 minutes that Iowa could never overcome.

Wiltjer made his first six shots before finally missing a 3-point attempt midway through the second half. Sabonis added eight in the first half, including a thundering left-handed dunk that was followed by a scream that had KeyArena roaring just like Gonzaga’s home gym.