Petrusev leads No. 3 Gonzaga over Saint Mary’s 86-76

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — While his players chanted “Got The Hardware,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few pondered a question about what sort of season this has been for the No. 3 Bulldogs.

“Incredible,” Few said.

Gonzaga lost four starters from last year’s team, and the top returning player Killian Tillie was sidelined with an injury when this season started. But the Bulldogs found new stars and didn’t miss a step.

Filip Petrusev scored 27 points and Gonzaga beat Saint Mary’s 86-76 on Saturday night to finish the regular season with a sweep of its arch-rival. They were presented with the West Coast Conference regular-season trophy after the game.

“I’ve never had a team surprise me as much as this one did,” Few said. “We don’t have lottery picks. But they worked and listened and were coachable. Our whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts.”

Corey Kispert added 20 points and Tillie 13 for Gonzaga (29-2, 15-1 West Coast), which won the WCC regular-season title for the eighth consecutive season.

Jordan Ford scored 28 points and Malik Fitts 15 for Saint Mary’s (24-7, 11-5), which earlier in February lost 90-60 at home to Gonzaga. It was the worst home loss for the Gaels under coach Randy Bennett.

The Zags are also hoping to be seeded first in the West so they can play the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament at home.

Saint Mary’s made eight of its first 12 shots to take an 18-15 lead. But Kispert hit a pair of baskets to give Gonzaga its first lead at 19-18 with 12:32 left in the first.

Jock Perry came off the bench to score seven consecutive points for the Gaels as they took a 34-31 lead.

The game was tied at 34 at halftime. Ford led all scorers with 12 points in the first.

Kispert sank a pair of 3-pointers as Gonzaga took a 45-42 lead early in the second half. Kispert made another 3, his fourth in five attempts, to extend Gonzaga’s lead to 52-42.

“Corey hit some big shots,” Few said.

Petrusev was 11 of 13 from the free throw line, and added six rebounds and three assists.

“Fil did a great job delivering,” Few said. “It was really physical in there.”

Gonzaga made seven of its first 10 shots in the second.

The Gaels went six minutes without a field goal and the Zags outscored them 26-14 in the first 10 minutes of the second to build a 60-48 lead.

Saint Mary’s scored seven straight points to cut Gonzaga’s lead to 73-68 with 4:39 left. But the Gaels could get no closer as the teams traded baskets.

“They’re hard to guard, but we didn’t guard them well enough in the second half,” Bennett said. “We did a great job making it a game down the stretch, but Gonzaga is the last team we want to be 10 points down against.

“I hope we see them again in the WCC Tournament, because that means we’ll be playing for the championship.”

GOODBYE SENIORS

The Zags honored seniors Killian Tillie, Ryan Woolridge and Admon Gilder before the game. Tillie has contributed to a 96-9 record in his four seasons. Woolridge, a graduate transfer from North Texas, and Gilder, a grad transfer from Texas A&M, have made big contributions this year.

RETURN OF RUI

Former Gonzaga star Rui Hachimura, who now plays for the Washington Wizards of the NBA, attended the game and was introduced after the seniors.

BIG PICTURE

Saint Mary’s: Ford leads the WCC in scoring at 20.5 points per game and is tops in the nation in minutes played this season at 1,088. … The Gaels have participated in six NCAA Tournaments and six NITs in the past 12 years … The Gaels have clinched a No. 3 seed in the WCC Tournament.

Gonzaga: The Bulldogs have won 39 straight home games, the longest streak in the nation … Gonzaga leads the country in scoring at 87.8 points per game, and has six players in double figures … The Bulldogs have finished with two or fewer losses in the regular season seven times since the 2003-04 season, all under Few.

UP NEXT

Saint Mary’s: advances to the WCC Tournament, where it upset Gonzaga in the title game last year.

Gonzaga: advances directly to the semifinals of the WCC Tournament on March 9.

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