Watch: Julian Strawther, Drew Timme discuss Gonzaga's Sweet 16 win over UCLA
LAS VEGAS — Julian Strawther hit the game-winning three-pointer to give Gonzaga a 79-76 win over UCLA in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night.
Trailing 76-75 with 12.4 seconds left, Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis dribbled the ball up the floor and then flipped it to a trailing Strawther. Strawther immediately rose up - with his heels on the midcourt March Madness logo - and nailed a straightaway three-pointer to put the Bulldogs up for good.
After the game, Strawther, Drew Timme and Malachi Smith spoke with reporters. Watch the full press conference video above.
Here's some of what the trio had to say.
Strawther on the last shot:
"The play was a little dribble hand-off action, see if we could get their defense on their heels a bit. And initially when Coach drew it, he kind of drew, just see what happens a little bit, maybe go downhill. And I kind of just asked him, like, can I shoot it? If no one steps up on me do you want me to shoot it? And he was like, absolutely. And then I shot it."
Timme on being considered one of the best college basketball players of all time:
"That's super cool you would even say something like that. But to be honest, I'm just in the moment playing. That's not something that even like the scoring records like everyone asks me all the time, that stuff is cool but I'm not in a place where I'm going to appreciate that until I'm done. I don't like to be sentimental, I just like to put 100 percent forward and not reflect or look back. But it's super cool you would say something like that. But it's something I can't appreciate until I step back and I'm removed a little bit."
Smith on playing a big role in the second half:
"Coach tells us that, that we can come in off the bench and provide a spark on defense. And in the first half, Coach was saying that's not how we play. When I got out there, I just wanted to have an impact and just help slow those guys down. And it was a total team effort. But I just really take pride on the defensive end. And I was glad I was able to contribute."
