West Coast Conference Tournament Semifinals: No. 1 Gonzaga didn’t have an easy evening, but the Bulldogs held off No. 4 Santa Clara 52-48 to reach the conference championship game. Junior guard Jeremy Pargo hit two free throws in the final minute to extend a one-point lead. Junior forward Josh Heytvelt was the only Bulldog to score in double figures with 15 points.
Few people on the East Coast probably stayed up to witness one of the best conference tournament games Sunday, as No. 3 San Diego knocked off No. 2 St. Mary’s 75-69 in double overtime to advance to the championship game against Gonzaga. The Toreros overcame a 16-2 hole to start the game and a double-digit deficit in the second half. San Diego ended regulation with a 15-2 run. Senior guard Brandon Johnson led the Toreros with 28 points, nearly quadrupling his season average. After each team scored only three points in the first overtime, San Diego put up 20 points in the second overtime for the win. The Toreros made 13-of-20 free throws in the second overtime. San Diego lost by four in the regular season when the Bulldogs played the Toreros in San Diego. [3/09/08]
