Loyola Marymount went to Moraga tonight and left with a 15 point, 75-60, win over the #21 Gaels of Saint Mary's. Right now the only thing keeping Gonzaga out of first place is the number of games played. Saint Mary's has played 14 WCC games, going 12-2, while Gonzaga has only played 12, going 10-2. After the Zags Bay Area (but not including Saint Mary's) road trip Thursday-Saturday things should be dead locked at the top.
LMU is once again in 3rd place, and a similar situation exists between the Lions and Cougars as Gaels and Zags. LMU has played 14 games, going 10-4 to BYU's 12 in which they're 9-3. A BYU win tomorrow at San Francisco and the Cougars will pull ahead, a loss and the Lions will hold their lead over the Cougars. This is the first season the Lions have won 10 conference games since their 100+ point scoring teams in 1990.
Tonight was pretty much all LMU from the get go, which is how they do on the road. This is their sixth win in seven road games in WCC play.
The Gaels missed five of their first six shots but managed to get going. The Lions built a 9-2 lead before succumbing to a Gael run that resulted in a couple lead changes and close game from about the 15 to 10 minute mark. Clint Steindl once again provided a spark off the bench, and on his senior night no less. His two quick 3's to bring the Gaels back into it were followed in the by two more in the 1st, he was four for five from long range in the half. The Lions also shot very well from deep, hitting five of ten in the half to the Gaels five of fifteen. It was 34-29 Lions at the half, but was nearly 36-29. With three seconds left Anthony Ireland found Tim Diederichs for an easy lay up. The in-bounds pass was stolen from Rob Jones, by Ireland, and his wild shot at the buzzer fell, but was waved off by the officials. Normally the Gaels have a very strong assist to turnover ratio, thanks in large part to Bob Cousy Award finalist Matthew Dellavedova's superb point guard play. In the first half the Gaels coughed the ball up nine times and had only eight assists.
After the break Dellavedova made two quick jumpers and then assisted Rob Jones on a lay up to give the Gaels a one point lead. It took the Lions over three minutes to score, but after that they had no problem putting the ball in the basket. The Gaels, other than Rob Jones when under the basket, caught the drought from the Lions and were held scoreless for nearly 8 minutes. The two teams traded baskets for a while mid-half until a three from Drew Viney at 9:32 pushed the Lions' lead to 10. The Gaels would get as close as four but no closer.
Drew Viney finished with 17 points and Anthony Ireland had 16 with 7 assists for the Lions. Jarred Dubois and Ashley Hamilton also scored in double figures. Unlike the Lions previous game, a loss at Gonzaga in which Ireland and Viney scored over 20 but no one else more than 3, five Lions were over three points with four in double figures.
For the Gaels Rob Jones had a great senior night performance with 25 points and 15 rebounds. In both of those categories, as well as minutes, he led the game. Dellavedova had just ten points, Clint Stendl's long range game gave him 12. Steven Holt was held scoreless just as he was in the Gaels' recent loss to the Zags. Unfortunately for Holt and the Gaels his lack of points isn't the worst of it. The sophomore starter and league leader in steals injured his right knee going for a loose ball. The officials called a time out to allow Holt to limp off the floor. By the end of the game he couldn't even do that as he left on crutches with a brace on his leg. Also Dellavedova injured his ankle but it seems less severe.
So, as to the title of this post. Gonzaga is now, once again, and like always, in control of their destiny when it comes to winning the WCC for the 12th straight time. This season is eerily similar to the way the Zags pulled back from a three game deficit to share the title with the Gaels. Thursday is the one year anniversary of Saint Mary's loss to San Diego that allowed Gonzaga a piece of the conference crown. Saint Mary's won the first game against Gonzaga, in Spokane no less which is quite hard to do, but went on to lose the next and then again in the WCC tournament. So far this year it has gone the same way but with the locations of the wins being reversed. Hopefully this loss won't derail the Gaels and force them to miss the cut for an at large bid like last year. Saturday's game at Murray State will be very telling.
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