In a thrilling showdown on Tuesday night, Gonzaga emerged victorious in the West Coast Conference Tournament championship, defeating Saint Mary’s 58-51. Braden Huff led the charge for the Bulldogs with 18 points, avenging their two regular-season losses to the 19th-ranked Gaels.
The Bulldogs, with a record of 25-8, clinched the WCC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a feat that both teams had been eyeing regardless of the outcome. This win also marked a moment of redemption for Gonzaga, who had fallen to the Gaels in last year’s title game, disrupting their streak of four conference championships and 10 out of 11 victories.
Saint Mary’s, boasting a record of 28-5, entered the championship game on a seven-game winning streak, having secured victories in 17 of their last 18 matchups. Mitchell Saxen led the charge for the Gaels with 20 points, although his scoring output diminished to just six points in the second half. Two-time WCC Player of the Year Augustas Marciulionis contributed 12 points to the Gaels’ effort.
Dominant Performance and Key Takeaways from the Game
Gonzaga showcased their prowess on the court, committing only four turnovers while capitalizing on 18 forced turnovers, including two shot-clock violations in the closing minutes. This disciplined performance played a crucial role in securing the championship title for the Bulldogs.
On the other hand, Saint Mary’s strong rebounding game, a key factor in their regular-season success, was evident with a 43-28 advantage on the boards. This dominance helped the Gaels stay competitive throughout the game, despite falling short in the final scoreline.
The Turning Point and Noteworthy Statistics
A pivotal moment in the game came when Marciulionis’ layup brought Saint Mary’s within one point. However, the Gaels struggled to find their rhythm offensively, enduring a scoreless stretch of 7 minutes and 36 seconds as Gonzaga surged ahead to a 48-42 lead.
An interesting statistic from the game was the combined 1-of-31 shooting from beyond the arc, with both teams struggling to find success from long range. Saint Mary’s particularly struggled, going 0-for-16 on their 3-point attempts, highlighting the defensive intensity displayed by both teams.
As both Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s await their NCAA Tournament seeding and destinations, the anticipation of March Madness continues to build among college basketball fans. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament picture unfolds.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
