Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s Clash for WCC Championship Title

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to face the top-seeded Saint Mary's Gaels in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament finals on March 11 at 6 p.m. at Orleans Arena. Gonzaga reached the championship game by defeating San Francisco 85-76 in a semi-final match.

This final showdown is highly anticipated, as it marks the third game between Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s this season. While Gonzaga has historically dominated the matchup by winning 26 of the last 35 meetings, Saint Mary’s has claimed victory in their last two encounters this season. This championship matchup is notable as Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s have consistently been the dominant forces in WCC basketball, with at least one of the teams winning the conference title every year since 2009.

In the semi-final against San Francisco, Gonzaga showcased their resilience despite trailing at halftime. Graham Ike led the Bulldogs with a standout performance, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Khalif Battle contributed 21 points, and Ryan Nembhard added eight assists, helping to secure the victory in a close match.

“We kept our composure, even when the game was tight,” Ike said. “We focused on making the right plays, and it paid off for us.”

Meanwhile, Saint Mary’s advanced to the finals by defeating Pepperdine, solidifying their fourth consecutive appearance in the championship game. Their recent strong performances establish them as formidable opponents for Gonzaga.

“Going into this game, we know we have a challenge ahead of us,” said Saint Mary’s head coach. “Gonzaga is a great team, and every game against them is a battle.”

As both teams prepare for this pivotal matchup, they also anticipate potential selection implications for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Selection Sunday is scheduled for March 14, further adding stakes to the WCC Championship game.

The showdown promises to be thrilling, pitting two fierce competitors against each other as they vie for the WCC title and a stronger position in the NCAA Tournament.