LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Gonzaga, after a 72-61 victory against Pacific, advances to its seventh WCC championship in eight years. The 1-seed Zags (30-2, 17-0) face a quick turnaround, hitting the floor within 24 hours of the semifinal win.
“Yeah, it’s rapid. A swift turnaround, not much time,” remarked Gonzaga Head Coach Lisa Fortier. “Tomorrow, we’ll focus on our goals, assess what we achieved or missed. Next week, we’ll delve into it with ample time to address areas for improvement. But today, time is limited.”
The Bulldogs face the 3-seeded Portland Pilots (20-12, 11-6) in the title game for the second year in a row. In the previous season, Gonzaga suffered an upset as Portland claimed the WCC trophy with a 64-60 win. While Gonzaga players emphasize that revenge isn’t their sole focus, the memory of the disappointment from last season in Vegas lingers.
We’ve always emphasized taking it one game at a time. Avoiding overlooking any game is crucial, but now that it’s here, we can concentrate on that,” said Kayleigh Truong. “Making a statement in this game might detract from playing the game organically. Our focus is on playing our usual style tomorrow. Whether we make a statement or not, we’re heading into March as the team we aspire to be,” added Yvonne Ejim.
“Dominance Defined: Gonzaga’s Commanding Victories Over Portland Set the Stage for WCC Championship Showdown”
Gonzaga and Portland clashed twice this year, with the Zags securing victory in both, boasting a total margin of 71 points. In their recent encounter on GU’s senior night, the Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance, dealing the Pilots a 50-point defeat. Five Zags scored in double digits, and the team showcased sharpshooting, sinking 10 threes and shooting an impressive 52.6% from the field. If Gonzaga replicates such numbers, it poses a formidable challenge for any opponent.
The Zags boast five players averaging double-digit points per game. Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga’s leading scorer, stands out as a top player in the NCAA, maintaining impressive averages of 20 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and one block per game. Notably, she has recorded double-figure points in every game this season.
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Brynna Maxwell (14.4), Kayleigh Truong (12.4), Kaylynne Truong (11.8), and Eliza Hollingsworth (10) round out the list of Zags with double-digit point averages. Collectively, Gonzaga maintains a team average of 82 points per game, shooting at an impressive 49.1% from the field and 40.4% from three.
In contrast, Portland has three players averaging at least 10 points, and as a team, they score an average of 68 points per game.
Gonzaga achieved a historic program record with 24 consecutive wins on Monday. They aim to extend it to 25 and secure the WCC Tournament championship on Tuesday as they face the Pilots. The Bulldogs and the Pilots will tip off at 1 p.m. on ESPNU. Post-game highlights and reactions will be available on SWXLocalSports.com after the game.
