LAS VEGAS (AP) — Gonzaga avenged its previous two regular-season losses to Saint Mary's, triumphing 58-51 on March 11, 2025, to capture the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament championship. The Bulldogs’ victory not only marked their 22nd WCC tournament title under head coach Mark Few but also extended their national record to 18 consecutive seasons with at least 25 wins.
Braden Huff led Gonzaga with 18 points, complemented by Khalif Battle’s 14, Graham Ike’s 11, and Ryan Nembhard’s 10. This win guarantees Gonzaga (25-8) the WCC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, ensuring both teams had secured their spots prior to the championship game.
Saint Mary's (28-5) saw its seven-game winning streak halted by Gonzaga’s dominant defense. The Bulldogs forced 18 turnovers, resulting in 20 points produced from those mistakes, and remarkably limited Saint Mary's to 0-for-16 shooting from beyond the arc, marking the first time in 787 games under coach Randy Bennett where the Gaels failed to make a three-pointer.
"We've had an inordinate amount of one-possession games," coach Mark Few reflected. He noted the Bulldogs’ statistical oddities, remarking, "I think that's why we're such an interesting seed going to this NCAA tournament. I think we were 350th in luck on Kenpom. We've had more banked 3s on us than I could ever, ever recall. Whether it's law of averages coming through, just resiliency, or maybe desperation by some seniors who don't want this thing to end."
Gonzaga held its ground throughout the game, never trailing after jumping out to an early lead of 20-7. The contest, which showcased tightly contested play, saw the Gaels cut the lead to just two points at halftime. Following Augustas Marciulionis' layup, Saint Mary's positioned itself as the closest they could be at 40-37. Nonetheless, the Gaels experienced significant shooting woes, failing to convert on any three-point attempts.
Mitchell Saxen led Saint Mary's with 20 points but found himself stifled after scoring only six points during the second half. Meanwhile, two-time WCC Player of the Year, Marciulionis, ended the night with 12 points but faced similar challenges when it came to capitalizing on opportunities against Gonzaga’s aggressive defense.
Despite the setbacks, Saint Mary's head coach assessed the season positively, saying, "We've had a great year. We did not play well tonight." The Gaels had been attempting to achieve something historical, aiming to become the first team since San Diego to beat Gonzaga three times within one season.
According to ESPN's research, Gonzaga has consistently fared well against Saint Mary's, improving its all-time record against them to 81-37. This result marked Gonzaga's triumph over the Gaels at the Orleans Arena, where they now hold a 9-4 edge.
The teams combined for 1-of-31 shooting from three-point range, exhibiting mutual incompetency from behind the arc. This shooting misfortune extended also to Gonzaga, which managed to connect on only one-three pointer during the game.
The Bulldogs’ solid defense emerged as the primary determinant for their success, limiting Saint Mary's scoring opportunities and securing their victory. The game’s closing moments featured Gonzaga executing effectively under pressure, preventing the Gaels from mounting any effective offensive surge.
Both teams are slated to discover their NCAA Tournament seeds and corresponding destinations on March 16, 2025. This matchup served as another chapter in the storied rivalry between these two programs with Gonzaga seeking to keep its national tournament aspirations alive.
Whether this victory translates to deep runs come Tournament time remains to be seen, but the Bulldogs demonstrated resilience and depth capable of challenging any opponent. With player performances peaking and head coach Few strategizing well, expectations remain high for Gonzaga's prospective postseason performance.