Braden Huff scored 18 factors and Gonzaga avenged two regular-season losses to Saint Mary’s, beating the Nineteenth-ranked Gaels 58-51 within the West Coast Convention Event championship Tuesday evening.
The Bulldogs (25-8) secured the WCC’s automated bid to the NCAA Event, although each groups had been safely within the area whatever the final result.
They received some measure of revenge for dropping to the Gaels in final yr’s title sport, which ended Gonzaga’s run of 4 convention championships and 10 of 11. Gonzaga additionally prolonged its nationwide report to 18 consecutive 25-win seasons.
Saint Mary’s (28-5) had its seven-game profitable streak stopped. The Gaels additionally had received 17 of 18 video games.
Khalif Battle scored 14 factors for the Zags, Graham Ike added 11 and Ryan Nembhard had 10.
Mitchell Saxen led Saint Mary’s with 20 factors however scored solely six after halftime. Two-time WCC Participant of the Yr Augustas Marciulionis completed with 12 factors.
Saint Mary’s was trying to turn into the primary group since San Diego in 1996-97 to beat Gonzaga thrice in a season. However Gonzaga entered the sport with the upper Kenpom score, ninth to twenty second for the Gaels, and was a 3.5-point favourite at BetMGM Sportsbook.
[Related: Mike DeCourcy latest bracket NCAA Tournament projections]
Takeaways
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs dedicated simply 4 turnovers whereas forcing 18 that included two shot-clock violations within the closing minutes.
Saint Mary’s: Dominating the boards is a key purpose the Gaels received the regular-season title, and their 43-28 benefit stored them aggressive.
Key second
Marciulionis’ layup with 15:09 left introduced Saint Mary’s inside a degree, however the Gaels went the following 7:36 and not using a area purpose as Gonzaga constructed a 48-42 lead.
Key stats
The groups mixed to shoot 1-of-31 on 3-pointers, with Saint Mary’s going 0-for-16.
Up subsequent
Each groups will discover out their NCAA Event seeds and locations on Sunday.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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