Braden Huff marked 18 factors and Gonzaga revealed two defeats for the common season at Saint Mary’s, beating Gaels 58-51 of the nineteenth categorised within the West Coast Conference match championship.
Bulldogs (25-8) ensured the automated WCC supply on the NCAA match, though each groups have been secure on the sector whatever the outcome.
They obtained a sure revenge for shedding towards the Gaels within the sport of the title of final 12 months, which ended the race of 4 convention championships in Gonzaga and 10 out of 11. Gonzaga additionally prolonged his nationwide report at 18 consecutive seasons of 25 wins.
Saint Mary’s (28-5) stopped his profitable seven-games collection. The Gaels had additionally received 17 of the 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 the interval. The twice WCC participant of the 12 months Augusta Marciulionis closed with 12 factors.
Saint Mary’s was making an attempt to turn into the primary workforce from San Diego in 1996-97 to beat Gonzaga thrice in a single season. But Gonzaga got here into play with the very best Kenpom rating, from the ninth to the twenty second for the Gaels, and was a favourite of three.5 factors to the Betmgm Sportsbook.
(Related: The newest projections of the Mike Decourcy NCAA Tournament)
Takeaways
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs dedicated solely 4 turnover whereas compelled 18 who included two boiling violations within the closing minutes.
Saint Mary: Domining The Boards is a key purpose why Gaels received the title of the conventional season and their benefit 43-28 has maintained them aggressive.
Key second
The Marciulionis layup with 15:09 on the left introduced Saint Mary to some extent, however the Gaels went the subsequent 7:36 with no Field Goal whereas Gonzaga constructed a bonus of 48-42.
Key statistics
The groups mixed to shoot 1 out of 31 out of three episodes, with Saint Mary goes 0 to 16.
Subsequently
Both groups will uncover their seeds and locations of the NCAA match on Sunday.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
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