LAS VEGAS — Aidan Mahaney scored 23 points, Mitchell Saxen had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and No. 21 Saint Mary's beat No. 17 Gonzaga 69-60 on Tuesday night for the West Coast Conference Tournament title.
 
Gonzaga (25-7) had won four WCC championships in a row and 10 of 11, with Saint Mary's in 2019 the one year the Bulldogs didn't claim the trophy. The Gaels earned the conference's automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament, but both sides were certain to make the 68-team field even before tipoff.
 
The sharp-shooting Mahaney was a major reason the Gaels (26-7) prevailed. He made 9 of 15 shots, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Also for Saint Mary's, Saxen produced a double-double, and Augustas Marciulionis scored 13 points.
 
Anton Watson led the Zags with 18 points. Ryan Nembhard finished with 13 points and 11 assists, and Graham Ike had 10 points.
 
Both teams came in surging and the game was close throughout. Saint Mary's largest lead was 11 points early in the second half, but Gonzaga rallied to take a 52-51 lead with 7:40 left in regulation. The Gaels answered and then held off GU for the win.