Fast Break

College basketball

Elliott joins GU’s coaching staff

Gonzaga University women’s coach Kelly Graves Wednesday announced the hiring of Michelle Elliott as an assistant coach on the Bulldogs’ staff.

Elliott played for the Bulldogs the past two seasons and will fill the spot vacated by Jennifer Mountain, who left to become the head coach at Santa Clara.

“We could not be more excited about Michelle joining our staff,” Graves said. “She exemplifies everything that is good about Gonzaga University and our basketball program.”

College baseball

GU’s Heid makes all-WCC team

Gonzaga sophomore outfielder Drew Heid made the All-West Coast Conference team.

Teammates Matt Fields (pitcher), Cody Martin (pitcher) and Evan Wells (second base) were awarded honorable mention honors. In addition, Martin was also named to the WCC All-Freshman team.

Heid batted .478 in WCC play with 10 runs batted in on 33 hits.

Pepperdine’s Eric Thames and San Diego’s Brian Matusz were unanimous selections as WCC Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Santa Clara’s Thain Simon was tabbed for Freshman of the Year honors, and San Francisco’s Joey Railey took home the new WCC Defensive Player of the Year award. San Diego’s Rich Hill was named WCC Coach of the Year.

College Basketball

Pfeifer a candidate at MSU-Billings

Former Idaho coach George Pfeifer is among 12 semifinalists for the men’s coaching job at Montana State-Billings.

Pfeifer was fired at Idaho on March 18 after two seasons with the Vandals. He compiled a 12-48 record.

The search committee plans to meet today to pare the list to eight.

Following phone interviews, the committee plans to bring up to five finalists to Billings for on-campus interviews.

MSU-Billings is searching for a men’s coach after declining to renew the contract of Craig Carse after 13 seasons.