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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga handles crunch-time heat in WCC semifinal victory

Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to pass during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to pass during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

LAS VEGAS – At the end of Gonzaga’s 77-68 win over Santa Clara, the Bulldogs performed much better in crunch time than they did in their previous close game. The Zags’ run at regular-season perfection ended when they were outplayed by BYU in the closing minutes of a 79-71 loss on Feb. 25.

The Zags found themselves in a tight game Monday when the Broncos pulled within 68-63 with 2:01 remaining on yet another Jared Brownridge basket. Gonzaga scored nine of the next 11 points to hold off the Broncos.

“That shows growth for us,” freshman center Zach Collins said. “Late in the game against BYU we seemed a little panicky and we weren’t really who we are.”