Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s clash for another WCC tournament championship

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Mar. 11—Halftime

Gonzaga is clinging to a 33-31 lead over Saint Mary’s after an exciting first half in the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game.

Ryan Nembhard was called for a technical foul on the bench with 33 seconds left and the Gaels hit both free throws to get closer. Nembhard has three fouls.

The Zags led by as many as 13 after a red-hot start. Poor 3-point shooting hurt GU down the stretch, the Zags are 1 of 10 on 3-pointers.

Braden Huff leads with nine points, Graham Ike adds seven. Mitchell Saxen has 14 points for the Gaels.

First half

1:06 — GU 31, SMC 29: Saxen hits two free throws to give the Gaels an 8-0 run and Gonzaga calls timeout trying to preserve its lead into halftime.

Zags missed a couple 3-pointers in a row and the Gaels took advantage. GU 1 of 9 on 3s.

3:29 — GU 30, SMC 20: Huff called for his first foul going for a rebound at the U4 media timeout.

Zags lead back to double figures on a midrange jumper from Nembahrd. Huff has been excellent with a team-high nine points. He fought for an offensive rebound and putback at the 5:44 mark to get the Zags going again after an offensive lull.

7:38 — GU 24, SMC 17: Gaels making a push at the U8 media timeout, Lewis makes a jumper through a foul from Ajayi and will shoot a free throw when play resumes.

Saxen keeping SMC in it, he has nine points and two blocks.

Zags not as effective without Huff and Battle on the floor. Just four points — all from Nembhard — the last six minutes.

10:54 — GU 22, SMC 11: Battled called for his second foul at the U12 media timeout.

Gaels got a couple of baskets back, before Huff came up with a steal and Nembhard scored a layup.

Huff leads the Zags with seven points, Battle adds six. GU shooting 60% from the field. Saxen has five points for SMC.

12:58 — GU 20, SMC 7: Gaels call a timeout after a heldball to try and slow the Zags momentum.

Maybe the best start of the year for GU. Zags went on a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer from Huff, two steals by Nembhard and some…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/gonzaga-saint-marys-clash-another-020500022.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2025-03-12 02:05:00

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