LAS VEGAS — From 3-5 start to WCC Regular Season and Tournament Champions! That's the incredible feat that the Gaels (26-7) accomplished tonight, downing the Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-7) 69-60 for their first WCC Tournament Title since 2019, and fifth in program history. The Gaels purely outplayed the Bulldogs, playing with a hunger after Gonzaga ended the Gaels perfect conference record bid a little over a week ago. This is just the third time in program history that the Gaels have secured both the conference regular season and tournament title in the same season (1997 and 2012). 

Mitchell Saxen opened the game with an emphatic slam in the Gaels opening possession, to seize momentum for the Gaels early, as they never trailed in the first half, taking a 31-27 lead into the halftime break. It was only characteristic for the game to begin with a Saxen jam, as he was the driving force behind the Gaels strong first half, putting together an incredible feat, a first half double-double. Defensively, the Gaels bottled up Gonzaga, holding them below 30 points in a half for the third time this season. Saxen tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds in an epic first half performance, while Aidan Mahaney added 10 points on 4-6 shooting. Augustas Marciulionis chipped in seven and five assists with no turnovers. Mahaney, Marciulionis and Mason Forbes all played the full 20 minute first half without a break, as the Gaels only went six deep in the opening stanza. 

The Gaels started the second half on the right foot, extending their lead to double-digits a little over two minutes in with an Aidan Mahaney three. Gonzaga kept their nose to the grindstone, however, chipping away at the deficit and ultimately taking their first lead at 52-51 with 7:40 remaining. As was the case last night against Santa Clara, the Gaels were quick to regain the lead, just 22 seconds later when Mitchell Saxen drained a pair of free throws, and would not relinquish it throughout the remainder of the game. Aidan Mahaney played another full 20 minute half, this time dropping 13 points on 3-4 shooting from three in the second period. After being held scoreless in the first half, Mason Forbes scored eight second half points, while Mitchell Saxen added seven more points and five more rebounds to his impressive total. 

Aidan Mahaney led all scorers with 23 points, burying 5-7 three point attempts and not leaving the court throughout the game, despite taking a kick to the head midway through the second half. Mitchell Saxen put up 19 points and 15 rebounds, dominating both ends of the court against the Zags. Augustas Marciulionis rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Gaels with 13 points and eight assists to just one turnover, also playing the full 40 minutes. In three matchups with Gonzaga this season, this was easily the Gaels best showing against the Zags, shooting better than 45% from the field, and limiting their opponent to 25 points below their season scoring average. 

KINGS OF THE WCC
For just the third time in program history, the Gaels have won both the WCC Regular Season and WCC Tournament Title (1997, 2012, 2024). The tournament title was Saint Mary's fifth in program history (1997, 2010, 2012, 2019, 2024) and their fourth title game win over Gonzaga. While the Gaels likely would've received an at-large to the NCAA Tournament even if they lost, tonight's victory guaranteed the Gaels their third consecutive trip to the Big Dance. This is the first time in program history that the Gaels will be headed to the tournament in three consecutive years. The Gaels picked up opening round victories in each of the last two seasons, and will set their next goal to make it to three straight NCAA Round of 32s. This also marks the Gaels 17th consecutive postseason bid (NIT or NCAA). 

TO THE WINNERS GO THE SPOILS
Three of the five WCC All-Tournament Team Honorees were Gaels, as Aidan Mahaney and Mitchell Saxen joined tournament Most Outstanding Player Augustas Marciuilionis on the distinguished list. Joining those three on the All-Tournament team were Ryan Nembhard and Anton Watson. Marciulionis was the second ever Gael to earn both WCC Player of the Year and WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, joined only by Matthew Dellavedova on that distinguished list. 

WINNING THE SEASON SERIES
Saint Mary's defeated Gonzaga twice in the same season tonight for only the third time in the Randy Bennett-Mark Few era. The other two times came in the 2015-16 season and the 2011-12 season. The win over Gonzaga was the 34th in program history, and their fourth in WCC Tournament play.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will have to wait until Sunday to see who they will be playing in the NCAA Tournament. 

#GaelsRise