SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Two free throws by Robert Sacre with 6:22 remaining put No. 23 Gonzaga in front for good Friday en route to a 77-69 victory over Eastern Washington.
The Bulldogs shot only 34 percent from the field and turned the ball over 19 times while narrowly avoiding a season-opening upset.
Eastern Washington came back from a 12-point, first-half deficit to take a 65-64 lead with 6:48 to go on a 3-pointer by Jeffrey Forbes.
Gonzaga then claimed three offensive rebounds on its next possession before Sacre was fouled and his two free throws touched off a game-ending 13-4 run.
Sacre made 14-of-18 from the foul line and scored 22 points to lead the Bulldogs. Marquise Carter added 17 and Elias Harris had 16.
The Eagles were led by Collin Chiverton with 25 points.
There were 19 nationally-ranked teams in action on the first full night of the college basketball season and No. 20 UCLA was the only one to suffer a loss.
