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Conference title on the line when Saint Mary's visits Gonzaga

Mar 1, 2008 - 1:56 PM No. 23 Saint Marys Ca (24-4) at Gonzaga (22-6) 8:00 pm EST

SPOKANE, Washington (Ticker) - The West Coast Conference title is up for grabs when Saint Mary's visits Gonzaga on Saturday.

The Gaels (24-4, 11-1 WCC) and the Bulldogs (24-4, 11-1) are tied for the conference lead with two games to play. Saint Mary's won the first meeting, 89-85, in overtime on February 4 and can clinch its first regular-season title since 1997 with a win.

But Gonzaga has won the last 12 home meetings in the series, last losing to Saint Mary's at home on January 21, 1995.

The Bulldogs have won five straight games, including a 73-51 victory over Portland on Monday. Jeremy Pargo had 13 points and six assists to lead Gonzaga. The junior point guard had 27 and nine in the first meeting against Saint Mary's.

The Gaels bounced back from a loss to Kent State on February 23 with a 61-54 victory over San Diego on Monday. Leading scorer Patrick Mills had a season-low two points in the win, marking the second straight game that the freshman scored in single digits.

Diamon Simpson had his third straight double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead Saint Mary's on Monday.