LAS VEGAS – No. 3 Santa Clara men’s basketball (24-7, 15-3) fell to No. 1 Gonzaga (29-3, 16-2) 68-79 on Tuesday, March 10, in the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship title game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Santa Clara held the lead for the entire first half, with its largest margin at 8 points, not trailing until Gonzaga took its first lead with just over 13 minutes remaining in the game. In a back-and-forth battle, the Bulldogs pulled through late to win the WCC Tournament championship game and secure their auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week. This was the final WCC matchup between Santa Clara and No. 12 nationally ranked Gonzaga, as the Bulldogs will join the reimagined Pac-12 conference after this season. The Broncos have won the tournament only twice, in 1987 and 1993. Santa Clara defeated Gonzaga once in Spokane over the last two seasons, but failed to beat the Bulldogs in either regular-season matchup this year. The championship game marked the Broncos’ third game in three days. Allen Graves ’29 and Sash Gavalyugov ’29 were named to the WCC’s All-Tournament Team for their stellar performances that helped the Broncos edge Pacific and Saint Mary’s en route to their matchup against Gonzaga. “Being selected in the all-tournament team is cool but doesn’t mean much to me when we lost the final, team success is what matters the most,” said Gavalyugov. When asked about their chances of making March Madness, “I feel confident for whatever’s next,” said Elijah Mahi ’26. “I feel confident. You leave that up to the committee. We can just do what we do, handle what we can handle, go to practice every day and just focus on our process,” said Christian Hammond ’28. “I’m very proud of them. I really love each and every one of these guys. It’s been a tremendous blessing to be able to coach them this year,” said head coach Herb Sendek, when asked if he was satisfied with the season despite Tuesday’s loss. The Broncos will wait for their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. PT on CBS. 📝: @aneeka.sideline & @ninaglickphoto 📷: @ninaglickphoto

LAS VEGAS – No. 3 Santa Clara men’s basketball (24-7, 15-3) defeated No. 2 Saint Mary’s (27-5, 16-2 WCC) 76-71 in dramatic fashion on March 9 in the semifinal round of the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Broncos advanced to the WCC tournament final for the first time since 2007. Santa Clara previously won the tournament in 1993. “We coming for the championship. We’re not satisfied of just getting to the March Madness. We want to win it all,” said Sash Gavalyugov ’29, the game’s leading scorer. “Support us. If you can get a flight to Las Vegas, come support us. The president’s here, so maybe you can excuse them from missing school tomorrow,” said Gavalyugov when asked about his message to students watching back home. Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan said, “Let the students know I’d be willing to vouch for them,” in response to missing class to travel to Las Vegas for the WCC Championship Game. Gavalyugov finished with 23 points, shooting 5-for-9 from 3-point range. The last time Santa Clara reached the NCAA Tournament was in 1996. The Broncos’ semifinal win over Saint Mary’s significantly strengthened their case for a long-awaited return. “Santa Clara’s season has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’re optimistic about receiving three bids to this year’s NCAA Tournament,” said WCC Commissioner Stu Jackson. The victory also marked the 600th career win for head coach Herb Sendek. The Broncos will learn their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. PT on CBS. “There will be a three-bid WCC in 2026. Santa Clara’s second win this season over Saint Mary’s should push the Broncos into the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Herb Sendek. Somewhere in Las Vegas, Stu Jackson is smiling,” said Jon Rothstein, college basketball reporter for CBS Sports Network. Next up: Santa Clara will face No. 1 Gonzaga at 6 p.m. PT on ESPN in the championship game. The Broncos lost both regular-season matchups against the Bulldogs this year. 📝: @aneeka.sideline & @ninaglickphoto 📷: @ninaglickphoto