Gonzaga won the game

San Juan, the No. 6 seed in the Southeast has lost its first game of the NCAA tournament in nine years, upset the No. 11 seed, Gonzaga. San John ends this season, their first under the direction of Steve Lavin, at 21-12. The Red Storm has made its way to the start of the season - make the Big Dance - but after the season, they had many great wins, will clearly not be disappointed to win a match here. San Gonzaga upset also John in his last meeting, the NCAA tournament in 2000 - No. 10-seeded Zags was seeded No. 2 Red Storm 82-76 in Tucson.

Gonzaga won the game 10 in a row and is now 25-9 on the season. The Zags are one of three double-digit seed to advance today in Denver.

The Skinny: Both teams had a hot start - San Juan had no fewer than six early (8-2), but Gonzaga's 12-0 run turned a 14-12 deficit into a San Juan 24-14 The Zags had a double-digit lead for most of the rest of the half, which by as many as 15 and 43-32 at halftime. Gonzaga shot 15-26 in the first half (57.7 percent), and was again the Red Storm 21-8, including seven on the offensive glass.

Gonzaga still hot shooting in the second half, as the Zags their first five 3-point attempts buried after the break. San Juan was never closer than eight points in the first minute after the break. Gonzaga had no fewer than 18, and essentially drove to victory.

NUMBER CRUNCH: Gonzaga shot 28 field-52 (53.8 percent), 9-of-15 behind the 3-point line (60 percent) and 21-for-26 from the free throw line (80.8 percent). But worst of all, the Zags killed in San Juan on the boards, 43-20. DJ Kennedy - St. John's leading rebounder with a torn ACL ligament - is clearly lost. But even he could make a difference against 7-footer Robert Sacre did.

ENERGY STAR: It took some time, Dwight Hardy to go, but still finished with a great team with 26 points. Justin Brownlee (14 points), Paris Horne (11) and Dwayne pole (12) were also in double figures - Pole a pleasant surprise, scoring 10 of his 12 in the second half.

For Gonzaga, Steven Gray had 16 points and Elias Harris 15th But the star was Marquise Carter, 5.9 points per game coming in the average, but finished with 24 Thursday night.

Next Steps: Gonzaga is No. 3 seed BYU on Saturday to play here in Denver. San Juan house flies in New York - and nine seniors played their last game the Red Storm.