Conference tournament season always brings its share of drama, but Monday night in Las Vegas, the West Coast Conference semifinals delivered a familiar result: the No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs powered past the Oregon State Beavers, 65-56, at Orleans Arena to punch their ticket to a remarkable 29th consecutive WCC championship game.
Gonzaga, long the class of the conference, entered the night with a 28-3 record and a top-15 national ranking, riding high after a dominant WCC regular season (16-2). The Bulldogs hadn’t played since February 28, thanks to a well-earned tournament bye, while Oregon State, now in its second WCC season after leaving the Pac-12, had just eked out a win over San Francisco the previous night. That quick turnaround, combined with the Beavers’ middling 17-15 record and .500 conference mark, set up a daunting challenge against the Zags’ high-octane attack and suffocating defense.
From the opening tip, Gonzaga wasted little time imposing its will. The Bulldogs’ defense was relentless, forcing Oregon State into early mistakes—shot clock and 10-second violations—during a decisive 15-2 first-half run that put the Zags up 21-6. The Beavers missed their first nine shots, shooting a frigid 28.6% in the opening half. By halftime, the Bulldogs had already established a double-digit cushion, and while Oregon State managed to claw back into contention in the second half, the outcome never truly felt in doubt.
Graham Ike, the WCC Player of the Year and Gonzaga’s leading scorer, was the star of the night. He poured in 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, notching his 14th double-double of the season and the 45th of his college career. Ike’s dominance in the paint was undeniable, as Gonzaga outscored Oregon State 38-24 on points in the lane. "Graham Ike had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs to a 65-56 victory over Oregon State Beavers on Monday night," reported the Associated Press.
With Braden Huff still sidelined due to a knee injury suffered in January, Ike’s scoring punch has been even more critical. Since Huff’s absence, Ike has upped his average to 23.1 points per game, compared to 17.8 earlier in the season. Tyon Grant-Foster added 8 points off the bench, while Adam Miller contributed 7 points and 4 assists, and Davis Fogle chipped in 9 points and 6 rebounds, providing valuable depth for the Bulldogs.
On the other side, Oregon State’s offense struggled to find rhythm against Gonzaga's pressure. Jorge Diaz Graham led the Beavers with 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Noah Amenhauser added 11 points off the bench. Josiah Lake II, Oregon State’s leading scorer during the season (13.2 ppg), was held to just 8 points on 2-of-9 shooting, though he did contribute 4 assists. Isaiah Sy, another key starter, finished with 7 points and 8 rebounds but shot just 1-for-6 from the field.
Despite their offensive woes, the Beavers showed resilience in the second half. They trimmed the deficit to single digits on several occasions, but Gonzaga’s ability to generate fast-break opportunities—outscoring Oregon State 16-0 on the break—kept the Beavers at arm’s length. The Zags also won the rebounding battle 35-33, further limiting Oregon State’s second-chance chances.
Oregon State’s season ends at 17-16, and the loss marks the conclusion of Wayne Tinkle’s 12-year tenure as head coach. Tinkle, who guided the Beavers through a conference transition and several memorable runs, leaves behind a legacy of grit and determination. "Oregon State, in fired coach Wayne Tinkle's last game after 12 seasons, ends at 17-16," noted the Associated Press.
For Gonzaga, the win not only extends their astonishing streak of WCC final appearances but also keeps their hopes alive for another deep March run. The Bulldogs will face Santa Clara (26-7) in the championship game, a matchup set for later Monday night. With the program’s move to the Pac-12 looming next season, this WCC title game carries extra significance—it could be the last of an era for Gonzaga, whose dominance has defined the conference for nearly three decades.
Looking back at the matchup, the statistics tell a clear story. Gonzaga shot 47.2% from the field (25-of-53) compared to Oregon State’s 33.9% (19-of-56). The Zags struggled from long range, hitting just 3-of-14 from three (21.4%), but made up for it with efficient scoring inside and near-perfect free-throw shooting (12-of-13, 92.3%). Oregon State managed only 6-of-25 from deep (24%) but converted 12-of-15 from the line (80%). The Bulldogs’ ball movement resulted in 17 assists on 25 made baskets, highlighting their unselfish play, while both teams finished with 10 turnovers apiece.
Defensively, Gonzaga again flexed its muscle. The Bulldogs forced eight steals and blocked four shots, setting the tone early and never letting Oregon State get comfortable. Their ability to force turnovers and convert them into transition points was a decisive factor, as was their discipline in avoiding fouls—Gonzaga committed just 14 to Oregon State’s 15.
For the Beavers, the defeat stings, especially after showing flashes of promise throughout the season. Oregon State finished the year with a 9-9 conference record and a few notable wins, including a signature victory over Arizona State. Yet, their struggles against elite competition—having lost to Gonzaga by 20 and then 9 points in their two meetings—highlight the gap that remains as they continue to build in the WCC.
As the confetti settles in Las Vegas, Gonzaga marches on, eyes fixed on another WCC crown and a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. With Graham Ike leading the way and a supporting cast that knows how to win in March, the Bulldogs look every bit the contender as they prepare for their conference finale—and perhaps, a final WCC championship celebration before a new chapter begins.