LAS VEGAS -- Saint Mary's took a huge step closer to an NCAA tournament berth and avenged two regular-season defeats with an 81-66 victory over Pepperdine in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at the Orleans Arena on Monday night.
The top-seeded Gaels (27-4) won their eighth straight game and enhanced an NCAA resume that also includes a No. 35 RPI ranking.A loser twice to the Waves during the WCC schedule, the Gaels never trailed and led 44-24 at halftime. The Waves (18-13) rallied within 10 points with 5½ minutes left but got no closer.Saint Mary's will face either No.