Feb. 10, 2007

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SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -Derek Raivio and Matt Bouldin each scored 12 points as Gonzaga, playing without suspended forward and second-leading scorer Josh Heytvelt, beat Saint Mary's 60-49 Saturday to remain tied atop the West Coast Conference.

Heytvelt and freshman Theo Davis had been suspended indefinitely before the game for violating team policy.

Gonzaga (18-8, 8-2 WCC) extended its NCAA-leading home court win streak to 50 games, hitting 25-of-54 from the floor, while Saint Mary's (13-13, 5-5) shot 20-of-47.

Jeremy Pargo had 11 points for the Zags.

Gonzaga missed Heytvelt's 15.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, but threw a pressing defense at the Gaels, who went scoreless for long chunks of time. Abdullahi Kuso, a 6-foot-9 junior, started in place of Heytvelt and finished with 4 points and a rebound.

Tron Smith led Gaels scoring with 11 points. Omar Samhan had 10 points and led all rebounders with 8.

Saint Mary's leading scorer, Diamon Simpson was held to 7 points and 4 rebounds, about half of his 14.6 point and 7.4 rebounds average.

Gonzaga remains tied for first place with Santa Clara, which visits Monday.

The Gaels started slowly against the determined Zags' swarming defense, which forced 11 first-half Gaels turnovers and 17 overall.

Gonzaga led 21-8 with 7:45 remaining in the half, but the Gaels went on an 8-0 run, including 6 by Samhan, and trailed just 25-23 at the half.

Gonzaga remains home Monday to face Santa Clara University at 9 p.m.