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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WCC championship: Gonzaga defeats Saint Mary's 85-75

After the Zags' 88-84 win, the team advances to the WCC Tournament finals for the 19th straight year. The second-seeded Zags (25-7) defeat No. 1 Saint Mary’s (27-4) 85-75 in Tuesday’s championship game.

Zag fans wait for the game with St. Mary’s to start, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


The Gonzaga flag bearers wait to run around the court before the start of the West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


The Bulldogs circle up before the start of their game with St. Mary’s at West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Dustin Triano (on left) bumps shoulders with Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis (3) during player introductions before there start of the game with St. Mary’s, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) inches his way into the key as St. Mary’s center Evan Fitzner (21) defends during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) takes a shot as St. Mary’s center Jock Landale (34) defends during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) grabs a rebound as Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis (3) falls during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


St. Mary’s guard Joe Rahon (25) and Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis (3) chase a loose ball during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) looks to the basket as St. Mary’s forward Dane Pineau (22) and St. Mary’s forward Calvin Hermanson (24) defend during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots over St. Mary’s forward Dane Pineau (22) during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) heads to the basket as St. Mary’s forward Calvin Hermanson (24) defends during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) heads to the basket during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Zag fans cheer the Bulldogs at the start of first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


A loose ball was just out of reach for Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) as St. Mary’s forward Calvin Hermanson (24) take control during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) heads to the basket as St. Mary’s center Evan Fitzner (21) defends during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) defends against a shot by St. Mary’s center Evan Fitzner (21) during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) defends against a shot by St. Mary’s guard Emmett Naar (3) during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) heads to the basket as St. Mary’s forward Dane Pineau (22) defends during the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) leaps toward the basket during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) takes a shot as during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga head coach Mark Few calls in a play during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis (on left) and Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan defend against a shot by St. Mary’s forward Dane Pineau (22) during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) takes a free throw during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


St. Mary’s forward Dane Pineau (22),Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) and Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) compete for a rebound during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga head coach Mark Few talks with players circled up during a timeout in the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Near the end of the game, Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Near the end of the game, Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball during the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) celebrates after dunking there ball late in the second half of a West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga celebrates their 85-75 win over St. Mary’s at the West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Left to right, Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11)and Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis (3) celebrate their 85-75 win over St. Mary’s at the end of the West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


An emotional Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan (23) is greeted by Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) after the Bulldogs beat the Gaels 85-75 to win the West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) received the West Coast Conference tournament championship Most Outstanding Player award after the Bulldogs beat the Gaels 85-75, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis (11) and Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) celebrate the Bulldogs 85-75 win over the Gaels and capturing the West Coast Conference tournament championship, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


The Bulldogs raise the WCC trophy after beating St. Mary’s 85-75 to win the West Coast Conference tournament championship final college basketball game, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Left to right, Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis, Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan and Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer get up close and personal with the WCC trophy , Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Left to right, Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer , Gonzaga guard Eric McClellan and Gonzaga guard Kyle Dranginis kiss the WCC trophy, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis helps cut down the net after the Bulldogs beat the Gaels 85-75 to win the West Coast Conference tournament championship final, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


Gonzaga head coach Mark Few puts the net on his daughter Julia, Tues., March 8, 2016, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review

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