What's Happening?
Saint Mary's Gaels secured a share of the West Coast Conference (WCC) regular-season title by defeating the No. 9 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs 70-59. The game took place in Moraga, California, where Mikey Lewis led the Gaels with a career-high 31 points, including
seven 3-pointers. This victory marks the fourth consecutive year that Saint Mary's has won or shared the conference title. The Gaels, with a record of 27-4 overall and 16-2 in the WCC, rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to outscore Gonzaga 41-23 in the second half. Gonzaga, which had already secured the top seed for the upcoming WCC tournament, will be moving to the Pac-12 next season.
Why It's Important?
This victory is significant for Saint Mary's as it reinforces their dominance in the WCC, sharing the title with Gonzaga, a long-time rival. The win also highlights the competitive nature of the conference, with both teams having been dominant forces for over two decades. For Gonzaga, the loss is a setback as they prepare to transition to the Pac-12, a move that will bring new challenges and opportunities. The game also showcased the talent of Mikey Lewis, whose performance could have implications for his future career prospects.
What's Next?
Both teams will now prepare for the WCC tournament, with Gonzaga entering as the top seed and Saint Mary's as the second seed. The tournament will provide another opportunity for these teams to assert their dominance before Gonzaga's transition to the Pac-12. The outcome of the tournament could impact seeding for the NCAA tournament, where both teams are expected to compete.
