This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Spokane, Wash. ­• Gonzaga honored seniors Jordan Mathews, Rem Bakamus and Przemek Karnowski on Saturday night, then played against a BYU team with no seniors on the floor.

The Cougars' only two seniors, captains Kyle Davis and L.J. Rose, were honored last week at the Marriott Center before the Cougars played Saint Mary's.

Although both are injured, Davis and Rose made the trip to the Pacific Northwest this weekend and cheered on their teammates from the bench.

"They are awesome leaders," said freshman forward Yoeli Childs. "Whether they are on the court or talking through things, they have a really good effect with us on the road. Whether it is in the game, or practice, or on the airplane talking about things we need to focus on, it helps. They've been through a lot. They just have a lot of knowledge they can spread to us."

Jumping the gun

The Spokesman Review published on its website an article and headline Saturday morning, about 12 hours before tipoff, proclaiming the Zags had gone 30-0 and completed an undefeated season. It was quickly taken down when the newspaper received complaints from readers that the jumping-the-gun story would jinx Gonzaga, which had lost the last two times it faced BYU at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Jimmer's baby daughter

Saying it was "the best experience of my whole life today," former BYU star Jimmer Fredette announced via Twitter on Friday that his wife, Whitney, had given birth to the couple's first child, a girl.

Wesley James Fredette and Whitney Fredette "are both healthy and happy," the Chinese Basketball Association all-star noted.

Fredette was able to return to his home in Colorado to witness the event because his Shanghai Sharks have completed the regular season and are awaiting the CBA playoffs.

Whitney Fredette said on Instagram that Wesley is a name her mother wanted to use for her, but her father disliked it. The middle name is Jimmer's official first name, James. He turned 28 on Saturday.

Staying together

As the injuries and losses have mounted, the Cougars are doing their best to stay together and remain united, sophomore guard Nick Emery said.

"This is one of the most close-knit teams I have ever played with," said the only team captain who is not injured. "We have each others' backs. We are still in it for each other."

Emery said "almost all of us" are disappointed in the way the season has gone, and he vowed to improve his own play first.

"There are areas where we can do a lot better, and that's what is fun about basketball, is you can learn through the process and continue to get better each and every day."

Briefly

The Cougars entered the game having defeated Gonzaga three times over the past four seasons, in 10 attempts. The rest of the West Coast Conference is 4-66 against the Zags in that span.

drew@sltrib.com Twitter: @drewjay