Gonzaga wins WCC tourney title, 20th under Couple of
Mar 11, 2025, 11:40 PM ET
LAS VEGAS– Braden Huff scored 18 points and Gonzaga avenged two regular-season losses to Saint Mary’s, beating the 19th-ranked Gaels 58-51 in the West Coast Conference tournament champion Tuesday night.The Bulldogs(25-8)protected the WCC’s automated bid to the NCAA competition, though both teams were securely in the field no matter the outcome.They got some procedure of revenge for losing to the Gaels in last year’s title game, which ended Gonzaga’s run of 4 championship game and 10 of 11. Gonzaga likewise extended its national record to 18 successive 25-win seasons. “We have actually had an inordinate quantity of one-possession games,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “I believe that’s why we’re such a fascinating seed going into this NCAA competition. I think we were 350th in luck in Kenpom. We’ve had more banked 3s on us than I might ever, ever keep in mind in my whole career.”Whether it’s law of averages coming through or simply a little resiliency … or possibly it’s
simply desperation by some elders who don’t want this thing to end.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Saint Mary’s(28-5)had its seven-game winning streak stopped. But the Gaels, who had won 17
of 18 games, went
cold from long range at the wrong time. According to ESPN Research Study, Saint Mary’s finished 0-16 from 3-point range, the first time in 787 games under coach Randy Bennett that the team failed to make a 3-pointer. Khalif Fight scored 14 points for the Zags, Graham Ike included 11 and Ryan Nembhard had 10. Mitchell Saxen led Saint Mary’s with
20 points but scored just six after halftime. Two-time WCC Gamer of the Year Augustas Marciulionis finished with 12 points.” We have actually had an excellent year,” Bennett stated.”We did not play well tonight. “Saint Mary’s was attempting to become the first team since San Diego in 1996-97
to beat Gonzaga three times in a season. But Gonzaga went into the game with the higher Kenpom score, ninth to 22nd for the Gaels, and was a 3 1/2-point favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook.And the Bulldogs played like favorites. They dedicated just four turnovers while forcing 18 that included 2 shot-clock offenses in the closing minutes, as they put themselves back on familiar ground.In reality, according to ESPN Research, Gonzaga has actually now won the WCC competition 22 times, consisting of 20 times under Few. Only Kentucky(32), Duke(27 )and North Carolina (26 )have won more Division I conference tournaments.Both groups will find out
their NCAA tournament seeds and destinations Sunday.The Associated Press added to this report.