Zags: Gonzaga moves on with 68-52 victory over Seton Hall

Gonzaga guard Silas Melson, left, pulls in a rebound as Seton Hall guard Derrick Gordon reaches for it during the first half of a first-round game Thursday, March 17, 2016, in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Denver. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) Gonzaga guard Silas Melson, left, pulls in a rebound as Seton Hall guard Derrick Gordon reaches for it during the first half of a first-round game Thursday, March 17, 2016, in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Denver. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

By Associated Press March 18, 2016 2 min read

DENVER (AP) – Sure, there were doubts that Gonzaga would make it back to the NCAA Tournament this year.

Now that the Zags are here, they’re making plans to stay a while.

The Bulldogs pulled away from Seton Hall for a 68-52 victory Thursday night behind a 21-point, 16-rebound effort from Domantas Sabonis and a shutdown defensive effort on Seton Hall’s Isaiah Whitehead.

In the bracket, this one goes down as an upset. Gonzaga (27-7) was an 11 seed, while Seton Hall (25-9) was a 6. Vegas knew better; the Zags opened the week as a 1-point favorite.

But Gonzaga was no sure thing to make this, its 18th straight tournament, until it won the West Coast Conference tournament last week.