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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga-Santa Clara halted because men’s game started with women’s ball

Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to pass during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to pass during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

LAS VEGAS – Tuesday’s West Coast Conference men’s basketball semifinal between Gonzaga and Santa Clara was stopped after a couple possessions when it was determined the teams were using a women’s ball, which is slightly smaller than the men’s version. GU guard Josh Perkins pointed it out to the officials.

“Perk said it was a girls’ ball, which is crazy,” said GU’s Nigel Williams-Goss. “We played two possessions and I hadn’t even noticed.”

Said Gonzaga coach Mark Few: “Wow.”

The No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs went on to win the game, 77-68, and will play Saint Mary’s in the WCC final on Tuesday.