Gonzaga Secures NCAA Bid with WCC Championship Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON? J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Gonzaga defeated No. 19 Saint Mary’s 58-51 to claim the West Coast Conference Tournament title. Braden Huff led the Bulldogs with 18 points, helping them avenge two regular-season losses. Gonzaga secures an automatic NCAA Tournament bid, while both teams await Selection Sunday.
Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s: Quick Looks
- WCC Champions: Gonzaga (25-8) claimed the title, securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
- MVP Performance: Braden Huff scored 18 points in just his second start of the season.
- Defensive Dominance: The Bulldogs forced 18 turnovers while committing only four.
- Saint Mary’s Struggles: The Gaels went 0-for-16 from three-point range, their worst shooting night in years.
- Key Moment: Gonzaga went on a 7:36 scoring run, shutting down Saint Mary’s comeback attempt.
- Historic Streaks: Gonzaga extended its record to 18 straight 25-win seasons.
- Looking Ahead: Both teams await their NCAA Tournament seedings on Sunday.
Deep Look: Gonzaga Upsets No. 19 Saint Mary’s to Capture WCC Title
Gonzaga Overcomes Adversity to Win WCC Championship
The Gonzaga Bulldogs proved their resilience Tuesday night, defeating No. 19 Saint Mary’s 58-51 in the West Coast Conference Tournament Championship. The victory secured Gonzaga’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid, despite both teams already being projected to make the field.
Led by Braden Huff’s 18 points, the Bulldogs avenged two regular-season losses to the Gaels and reclaimed their spot atop the WCC after falling short last year.
“We’ve had an inordinate amount of one-possession games,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few. “Maybe it’s the law of averages, or just desperation from our seniors who don’t want this to end.”
Dominant Defense Propels Gonzaga to Victory
The game was defined by defensive intensity, with Gonzaga forcing 18 turnovers while only committing four of their own.
- The Bulldogs executed two shot-clock violations in the final minutes, stifling the Gaels’ offense.
- Saint Mary’s struggled from beyond the arc, finishing 0-for-16 from three-point range—a historic low for a ranked team.
- The Gaels’ 7:36 scoring drought in the second half allowed Gonzaga to take control.
Saint Mary’s Comes Up Short Despite Strong Season
Saint Mary’s (28-5) entered the game riding a seven-game winning streak, having won 17 of their last 18 games.
“We’ve had a great year, but we just didn’t play well tonight,” said Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett.
The Gaels were led by Mitchell Saxen’s 20 points, though he managed just six in the second half. Two-time WCC Player of the Year Augustas Marciulionis finished with 12 points, but the team’s cold shooting cost them the championship.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
- First Half: Gonzaga set the tone early, keeping Saint Mary’s off balance with defensive pressure.
- Second Half Surge: Marciulionis’ layup at 15:09 brought the Gaels within a point, but they failed to score a field goal for 7:36 as Gonzaga built a 48-42 lead.
- Final Minutes: The Bulldogs controlled the tempo, holding off late attempts by Saint Mary’s to rally.
Gonzaga’s Historic Success Continues
With the win, Gonzaga extended its streak of 25-win seasons to 18, further solidifying its status as one of college basketball’s most consistent programs.
What’s Next? Selection Sunday Awaits
Both teams will learn their NCAA Tournament seedings and destinations on Selection Sunday. Despite the loss, Saint Mary’s remains a strong contender for a high seed in March Madness.
With momentum on their side, Gonzaga enters the tournament as a dangerous underdog, capable of making another deep postseason run.
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