The One Game Difference

The Gaels lose to the Zags but still claim the title of regular season champions.

Image c/o Ryan Barnett/SMC Athletics 

By Val Hill 
Sports Editor

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For both Gonzaga and the Gaels, this was the make or break game. The game could have gone one or two ways: one being the Gaels securing another win against Gonzaga, or Gonzaga stealing a home court win from the Gaels. A month prior the Gaels swept away a win from Gonzaga on their home turf. However and unfortunately for the Gaels, Gonzaga did steal a home game win from them. 

The game started with the Gaels controlling the speed and tempo of the plays, not letting the fouls or bad calls get in their way. This allowed them to take an early lead with 12-10. Each turnover was consistent and throughout the first quarter of the game was moving smoothing for the Gaels. For the first 12 minutes, Alex Ducas, Augustus Marciulionis and Mitchel Saxen were the top scorers. However, this did not last long when the Zags went on a run and ended the first half with a score of 28 to 44. 

The Gaels just were not able to recover and unable to find their own rhythm again. Fouls and turnovers were reaching high numbers, but that did not stop the Gaels. The Gaels' shot accuracy percentage went down significantly and led to a spiral of points for Gonzaga. Fouls on the Gaels and on Gonzaga, both good and bad calls alike, were not enough. This unfortunately wasn’t enough, and the game ended in a 57 to 70 loss to the Zags.

However, not all hope is lost. The Gaels still have a chance to play like a 17th AP Poll ranked team, and it will have to be during the WCC conference championship. And now both teams with losses on their home court will have the chance to move on and finish the fight in Vegas for the WCC championship. Allowing for the Gaels to use their win as the regular season champions as motivation to work harder than ever in the next few weeks. So everything is on the line for the Gaels and also for Gonzaga, because only one can win. And both teams are desperate for the title and will do whatever it takes to win.