Zags, Gaels renew heated rivalry

I’ve been on hand for the last 11 Gonzaga-Saint Mary’s games and every one of them has been fairly memorable.

Gonzaga has won 8 of the 11. Both teams have won via blowouts (GU 83-58 in the 2009 WCC Tournament title game and the Gaels returning the favor 81-62 in the 2010 title matchup). Both have won in overtime. Both have won in the closing seconds (Mickey McConnell connecting over Robert Sacre in the Kennel; GU’s Sam Dower and Sacre hitting 6 of 6 FTs in the closing 20 seconds last year in Moraga.

Freshman Elias Harris pouring in 31 points in a road win (Steven Gray adding 14 points and 14 boards in that same game). McConnell going scoreless as GU ripped the Gaels 80-61 in Spokane two years ago; McConnell responding with 27 points and the game-winner in SMC’s 73-71 win at the MAC last year. Patty Mills scoring 18 first-half points before leaving with a wrist injury and Gonzaga rallying for a 69-62 win. Omar Samhan pushing Robert Sacre and earning a technical foul in the Gaels’ 19-point win in Las Vegas.

More memories are on tap Thursday night. Meanwhile, here’s my preview that will run in Thursday’s S-R.