St. Mary’s works overtime for WCC title

The NCAA Tournament doesn't begin until next week. But Saint Mary's and Gonzaga decided Monday would be a good time to stage a dress rehearsal at Orleans Arena.

With an intensity and energy that would rival any game played over the next three weeks, the Gaels and Bulldogs battled for 45 minutes in the West Coast Conference tournament championship game before Saint Mary's held on for a 78-74 overtime win before 6,826 emotionally charged fans.

"The stars showed up (Monday)," Gaels coach Randy Bennett said. "It was a little too exciting down the stretch."

Matthew Dellavedova, the Gaels' 6-foot-4-inch junior guard from Australia, scored 22 points and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He also kept Gonzaga freshman sensation Kevin Pangos in check, limiting the WCC Newcomer of the Year to seven points on 3-for-18 shooting, including 1 of 10 from beyond the 3-point line.

"We knew it was going to be a key to stop him," Dellavedova said of Pangos, who scored 30 points in Saturday's semifinal win over Brigham Young. "You can't let him get free."

Pangos wasn't making any excuses for his off night.

"My teammates found me," he said. "I got good looks and I just didn't knock them down."

Dellavedova also won an important battle with Pangos late in overtime. With the score tied 72-72, Pangos missed a 3-pointer. But the rebound sailed long, and as he and Dellavedova attempted to get to the loose ball, they collided violently in front of the scorer's table with 39 seconds left.

Dellavedova managed to get there a split-second ahead of Pangos, who was whistled for the foul. Dellavedova went to the free-throw line and made both shots to put Saint Mary's up, 74-72.

"It reminded me of Australian Rules Football as a kid," Dellavedova said.

Dellavedova made two free throws with six seconds left to seal the win for the Gaels, who earned the WCC regular-season and tournament titles in the same season for the first time.

Gonzaga's Elias Harris forced overtime when he made a long 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3.7 seconds left to tie the game at 68-68.

"It was a great battle," said Harris, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. "I was wide open when I got it and I just shot it with confidence."

For most teams, Harris' tying basket would have been enough to break their spirit, but Bennett has a veteran team.

"We knew we were still the tougher team," said Saint Mary's senior forward Rob Jones, who had 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals. "We just put that shot behind us and got back to playing great basketball."

Bennett said winning the way his team did Monday will serve it well heading into the NCAA Tournament.

"We haven't had many close games this year," he said. "When you win a game like this, it helps your confidence. It makes you a tougher team."

WOMEN

■ Brigham Young 78, Gonzaga 66 -- Dani Peterson scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help the Cougars beat the three-time defending champion Bulldogs.

BYU (26-6) won its first WCC tournament after 12 years in the Mountain West Conference. The victory earned the Cougars their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2007.

Sophomore Haiden Palmer led Gonzaga (26-5) with a career-high 28 points. Kayla Standish added 18.

Tournament MVP Haley Steed and reserve Jennifer Hamson had 17 points apiece for BYU.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.