January 23rd WCC Wrapup: Zags’ and Gaels Survive, While Portland Shocks BYU

Dec 1, 2013; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard

(11) and Gonzaga Bulldogs center

(35) share a laugh during a game against the Coppin State Eagles during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs beat Eagles 86-51 Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Gonzaga Survives Against USD

With the students back in the Kennel, the Gonzaga Bulldogs (17-3, 6-1) were able to use their support to hold of San Diego (11-10, 2-6).

With about 8 seconds on the game clock, the Toreros had the ball with a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. Torero guard Christopher Anderson took an off-balance three-pointer that did not connect, Gonzaga’s Kyle Dranginis corralled the rebound and the Bulldogs took the 59-56 victory.

Sam Dower led the Bulldogs with 18 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth double-double of his career. Kyle Dranginis was the Zags’ leading distributor with 4 assists. He also added 10 points to the cause. Przemek Karnowski and Kevin Pangos were the other Gonzaga players to finish in double-figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Johnny Dee led all scorers with 26. Dennis Kramer patrolled the boards for the Toreros with a team-high 7 rebounds, along with his 10 points. San Diego recorded just 3 assists the entire game, with Christopher Anderson accounting for 2 of them.

Keys to the Game Checklist

Gonzaga

(X) Force the Ball Inside: The Toreros did a great deal of damage from the perimeter in this game. In particular, Johnny Dee’s 26 points (8-10 FG) was what kept the Toreros close.

San Diego

(Push) Anybody but Pangos: Dower was the Zags’ saving grace tonight, but Kevin Pangos hit his fair share of big shots to propel the Bulldogs over the Toreros. However, keeping him 1-4 from the 3-point line was a feat in itself, making this a push.

Player of the Game

Johnny Dee: Even in a loss Dee was phenomenal. His 26 points off of 8-10 shooting (3-3 from 3-point range) was crucial for USD today. He also had 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Saint Mary’s Downs Pepperdine, Claim Second Place

For postgame coverage, read this post by our own Simon Tryzna: https://westcoastconvo.com/2014/01/23/riding-wave-saint-marys-holds-pepperdine/

LMU Gets Back on Track, Knocks Off Last Place Pacific

Loyola Marymount (11-10, 2-6) ended its six game losing streak today with its 92-81 victory over the Pacific Tigers (10-8, 1-6). The Lions were red hot in the second half, scoring 60 points to drop the Tigers.

The Lions were led by Evan Payne and Anthony Ireland, who dropped 25 and 24 points respectively. Payne and Ireland’s 49 combined points accounted for 53.3 percent of the Lions offensive production tonight.

Gabe Levin recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, the latter was a team-high for the Lions today. Anthony Ireland dished out 8 assists, which also was a team-high.

Ross Rivera was the Tigers leading scorer tonight with 16 points. Tony Gill, Sama Taku and Trevin Harris also finished in double-figures tonight, scoring 13, 12 and 10 points respectively. Khalil Kelley was the Tigers leading rebounder with 10 rebounds, and Andrew Bock’s 5 assists was a team-high for the Tigers.

The Pacific Tigers will host the Pepperdine Waves (12-9, 5-4) with aspirations of splitting their series with the LA schools. LMU will travel over to Moraga to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels (5-2, 15-5), who defeated the Waves tonight by a score of 80-74.

Bobby Sharp and Portland Shock BYU

The Portland Pilots (12-8, 4-4) picked up their second marquee WCC victory at the Chiles Center tonight, knocking off the BYU Cougars in triple overtime by a score of 114 to 110 (13-7, 5-3).

In the second overtime, it looked like the magic had run out for the Pilots. But then Bobby Sharp happened. BYU led Portland by 6 points with just a little under 1 minute to play. Sharp drilled two threes – both contested I might add – to close the gap and send the game into a third overtime. The Pilots proceed to dominate triple overtime, and before you know it the Portland students flooded the court to celebrate their second victory over an elite team in the conference this season.

Bobby Sharp and Thomas van der Mars led the Pilots with 27 points apiece. Sharp connected on 8 of the 13 3-pointers he launched today. Van der Mars grabbed 10 rebounds – 8 of which were of the offensive variety – to control the glass for the Pilots. Kevin Bailey led the Pilots in assists with 6, along with scoring 15 points for Portland tonight. Ryan Nicholas (15) and Bryce Pressley (12) also recorded double-digit points tonight.

Tyler Haws recorded a career-high in points with 48. Matt Carlino was solid off the bench with 25 points, 9 assists and 7 steals. Nate Austin’s 15 points was a team-high for BYU.

The Portland Pilots will welcome San Diego to the Chiles Center this upcoming Saturday, while the Cougars travel up to Spokane for a meet up with the Bulldogs in the Kennel.