By Nicholas K. Geranios
Associated PressSPOKANE, Wash. ó Gonzaga forward Elias Harris is not sure why he was ejected late in the first half against Wake Forest.
What is for certain is that No. 17 Gonzaga could not recover from the game-changing loss of its second-leading scorer and top rebounder. It fell 77-75 to Wake Forest on Saturday.
“My feeling is I did nothing wrong,” said Harris, who came in averaging 14 points and eight rebounds a game.
Harris said he and Wake’s Chas McFarland were struggling for rebound position on C.J. Harris’ missed 3-pointer.
“It was a big momentum swing for us,” Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio said. “I don’t feel good for the young man. He’s a terrific kid.”
The referees whistled Elias Harris for a flagrant foul and ejected him from the game with Gonzaga (6-2) leading 31-22 with just over two minutes left in the half.
C.J. Harris (19 points) was awarded five free throws ó three for the foul on his shot and two for the technical ó and he sank four. Wake Forest (5-2) also got the ball back, and Ari Stewart made a 3-pointer to cut Gonzaga’s lead to 33-31. Wake took a 34-33 halftime lead on Stewart’s 3 at the buzzer.
Wake led 76-73 when Steven Gray was fouled on a 3-pointer with eight seconds left. He made his first try but missed the next two.
Stewart (17 points) sank one foul shot for a 77-74 lead, and Wake fouled immediately to avoid a 3-point attempt.