Feb 12, 2009 - 6:22 AM
0 shoutsNo. 21 Gonzaga (17-5) at Saint Mary's (19-4) 11:00 p.m. EST
MORAGA, California (Ticker) -- Gonzaga returns to league play when it hosts Saint Mary's on Thursday, looking to continue its dominance of the West Coast Conference after an unsuccessful trek out of the WCC.
The 21st-ranked Bulldogs (17-5, 8-0 WCC) were dominated in nearly every facet of the game during a 68-50 loss against Memphis on Saturday. Gonzaga was outrebounded 37-21, committed 15 turnovers and posted a season-low in points while trailing by as many as 26 in the second half.
Micah Downs scored 13 points off the bench and Josh Heytvelt had 11 as the Bulldogs shot 37 percent (18-of-49) from the field.
In the first meeting between the teams, the Gaels (19-4, 6-3) jumped to a 39-33 halftime lead behind star point guard Patty Mills. The Australian Olympian suffered a pair of fractured bones in his right hand late in the first half, an injury that may sideline Mills for the remainder of the regular season.
In his absence, Saint Mary's was lost offensively in the second half as Gonzaga rallied for a 69-62 win. The Gaels' struggles have continued, dropping two of three games to end any hope of dethroning Gonzaga for the regular-season crown.
Diamon Simpson scored 11 points in a 70-52 loss at Santa Clara on Saturday. The 52 points were a season-low for the Gaels, who are 9-0 at home this season and have won 25 of 26 at McKeon Pavilion.
From the Bleachers
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GONZAGA: 72
ST. MARY'S: 70
Final
Feb 13 1:17 AM -
Gonzaga(21) 71, St. Mary's 70 2nd Half - 0:06
RUWTbot
Added 112 roots (Close Finish, Upset)
Feb 13 1:14 AM -
GONZAGA: 36
ST. MARY'S: 36
Halftime
Feb 12 11:57 PM
