Andrew Nembhard scored 19 points, Rasir Bolton added 18 and top-ranked Gonzaga outlasted No. 17 Saint Mary’s 82-69 to win its eighth West Coast Conference tournament title in nine years.
Drew Timme scored 27 points, Chet Holmgren added 17 and top-ranked Gonzaga reached the West Coast Conference championship game for the 25th straight year by holding off San Francisco 81-71.
The top six teams in the AP poll all lost and seven of the top nine fell on Saturday. Fans poured onto the court at in a wild celebration of the Gaels’ 18th consecutive win at McKeon Pavilion.
Gonzaga remained at No. 1 for the second straight week, receiving all 61 votes from a media panel. Arizona moved up a spot to No. 2 for its highest ranking in four years.