Gonzaga wins another WCC basketball title

Sam Dower Jr. had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Gonzaga held its ground during a second-half rally to beat Brigham Young, 75-64, Tuesday night at Las Vegas for its 13th West Coast Conference title.

Gonzaga (28-6) raced to a 21-point lead in the first half and had an answer when Brigham Young fought back in the second half, leaving no doubt about the NCAA tournament by earning the conference’s automatic bid.

Gary Bell Jr. had 14 points and David Stockton dished out seven assists to help send the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament for the 16th straight year.

Brigham Young (23-11) rallied after a dismal first half, pulling to within eight points with three minutes left. The Cougars couldn’t finish off the comeback and now have to wait for Selection Sunday.

Tyler Haws had 24 points and Kyle Collinsworth scored 13 before leaving because of a right leg injury in the second half.

Gonzaga and Brigham Young split two meetings during the regular season.

The Bulldogs won the first one by 15 points after making 10 of 22 three-point shots in Spokane, Wash. The Cougars were much better guarding the perimeter in Provo, Utah, limiting the Bulldogs to four for 18 shooting from three-point range.

Gonzaga also wins women’s final

Keani Albanez scored 20 points and No. 18 Gonzaga dominated Brigham Young to win the conference tournament for the sixth time in seven years, beating the Cougars, 71-57, at Las Vegas.

After some early struggles against WCC player of the year Jennifer Hamson, Gonzaga (29-4) turned the title game into a rout, holding the Cougars (26-6) to 30% shooting and forcing 21 turnovers.

Hamson scored eight quick points, but the Bulldogs limited her chances during a key stretch to build a 16-point halftime lead. She finished with 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting.