LAS VEGAS — Both Saint Mary's (25-7) and Gonzaga (25-6) took care of business in the WCC Semis, defeating Santa Clara and San Francisco respectively, setting up a Gaels-Zags championship game for the third consecutive season. The two teams split their regular season series, each taking a W on the other's home court, but game three in the Orleans Arena will decide not only the season series, but also crown a WCC Tournament Champion.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
Tuesday, March 12 at 6 PM
Orleans Arena — Las Vegas, Nevada
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AGAINST THE ZAGS THIS YEAR…
The Gaels split with Gonzaga in the regular season for the third consecutive season, but earned their win over the Zags in Spokane for the first time since 2018. At the Kennel, the Gaels fell into an 11-2 hole a little over five minutes in, but rallied back to go on a 14-5 run to take their first lead at 16-15 at the 9:44 mark of the first half. Neither team could pull away from one another at that point, as Gonzaga took a narrow 34-33 lead into the break. Back and forth we went in the second half, until Joshua Jefferson hit a momentous three with 2:37 to go, giving the Gaels their largest lead at 60-55. An Augustas Marciulionis three with the shotclock expiring and 47 seconds left in the game put the Gaels ahead by six at 63-57, and while the Zags fought tooth and nail to claw back into it, they ultimately fell 64-62. Aidan Mahaney fueled the Gaels offensively with 20 points, while Joshua Jefferson played the entire 40 minutes, going for 16 points and 11 boards. Defensively, the Gaels completely neutralized the Zags from beyond the arc, as their stout perimeter defense held Gonzaga to a 21.4% clip from three. Ryan Nembhard led Gonzaga offensively with 18 points, while Anton Watson (16 pts 10 reb) and Graham Ike (12 pts 12 reb) both logged double-doubles. This win put the Gaels two games up on the Zags, giving them the inside track to the WCC Regular Season Title.
In the regular season finale, the Zags looked to exact revenge in Moraga. The Gaels had already clinched the WCC Regular Title and the #1 seed in the WCC Tournament at the time. Over the first eight minutes of this one, the two WCC heavyweights locked in a 12-12 stalemate, but the Zags were able to go on a 12-0 run over the next 2:30 and never looked back. Down 44-28 at the half, the Gaels defense gave the team a chance, holding Gonzaga to 26 second half points, their second lowest total in a half this season, but the offense only mustered up 29, and the Gaels would fall 70-57, ending their 16 game win streak. Aidan Mahaney again led the Gaels, this time with 16 points. Graham Ike (24 pts 10 reb) and Ryan Nembhard (20 pts 10 ast) led the Zags.
IN WCC TITLE GAMES
This is the Gaels 16th appearance in the WCC Title Game, as they hold a record of 4-11 all-time in these games. 14 of their 16 appearances have been against Gonzaga, with the Gaels going 3-10 against Gonzaga in WCC Title Games. Those three wins came in 2019 (60-47), 2012 (78-74 OT), and 2010 (81-62). As the #1 seed in the WCC Tournament, Saint Mary's has won the Conference Tournament Title just once (2012).
ALEX DUCAS RECORD WATCH
Alex Ducas is just one game shy of tying Tommy Kuhse's record for most games played in a Gaels uniform. If he makes an appearance in the WCC Title Game vs Gonzaga, it will be his 149th appearance as a Gael. Ducas also sits at 277 made three pointers, 11 shy of Matthew Dellavedova's program record. Alex's next start will be his 122nd, tying him with Daniel Kickert for third all-time in program history. Ducas will likely have a chance to move into second all-time in this category (Brad Waldow, 123) by the end of the season, but still trails program record holder Matthew Dellavedova, who started 133 in his time as a Gael. His six made three pointers in a single half against Santa Clara tied the program record for most made threes in a half (Patty Mills, Chris Johnson and Josh Unruh). He is 16 made threes away from tying David Sivulich's single season three point record.
ABOUT THE ZAGS
Since their loss to Saint Mary's at the Kennel, the Zags are 9-0, good for the nation's third longest active winning streak. After an uncharacteristically slow start, 25th year Head Coach Mark Few has righted the ship, picking up career win number 700 in the process. The team is led by their three first-team All-WCC honorees, Graham Ike (17 PPG 7 RPG 61% FG), Ryan Nembhard (13 PPG 7 APG) and Anton Watson (14 PPG 7 RPG 58% FG). The Zags boast one of the top scoring offenses in the country, averaging 85.7 PPG (6th in NCAA), which always provides a fun clash in styles when the Zags meet up with the Gaels (58.7 PPG Allowed good for 2nd in the NCAA). All-time, the Zags are 80-33 against the Gaels. The Gaels are looking to beat the Zags twice in the same season for the first time since 2016, when they beat them in both of their regular season meetings.
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