LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Saint Mary's (28-5) played their signature tenacious defense and was as ferocious as ever on the glass tonight, but struggled to score, dropping the WCC Tournament Title Match to Gonzaga (25-8) 58-51. The Gaels fell into an early hole, and while they battled back fiercely they never could quite crest the hill to take a lead against the Bulldogs, who led for 39:09 of the 40 minute contest, and never trailed.
Saint Mary's found themselves in an early 20-7 hole, as Gonzaga, who trailed by double digits early in both regular season contests, got their turn to throw the opening haymaker.