Gonzaga can take gigantic step

Eight-time defending West Coast Conference champion Gonzaga can move closer to No. 9 tonight at McCarthey Athletic Center by defeating Saint Mary’s. The Bulldogs (20-5, 10-1) hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the second-place Gaels (16-6, 8-2) with the conference season winding down to its final two weeks. Gonzaga has won eight consecutive games since a 54-51 loss at Saint Mary’s on Jan. 10. The Gaels are the only WCC team to win at Gonzaga since the 2009-10 season (66-63 on Jan. 14, 2012). Game time is 20 minutes away.