Gonzaga Bulldogs Secure NCAA Bid With WCC Final Win Over Saint Mary's

The Gonzaga Bulldogs secured their 28th consecutive West Coast Conference title by defeating the top-seeded Saint Mary's Gaels 58-51 in a closely contested championship game. Despite not playing at their best, with a notably low score for their standards and a significant rebounding deficit, the Bulldogs' defense forced 18 turnovers, contributing to their victory. Braden Huff emerged as a key player, scoring 18 points and earning praise from coach Mark Few for his performance, while Graham Ike was named the tournament MVP. This win grants Gonzaga an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they are seen as a potential dark horse despite mixed opinions among fans regarding their chances. The Zags, who had previously struggled against Saint Mary's this season, demonstrated resilience by not trailing at any point in the final game. As they head into March Madness, Gonzaga aims to capitalize on their tournament momentum to advance further in the competition.