Gonzaga women win WCC title, earn 16th NCAA tournament berth

LAS VEGAS — Lauren Whittaker scored 26 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds to steer Gonzaga to a 76-66 win over Oregon State within the West Coast Conference Tournament championship recreation on Tuesday.

The second-seeded Bulldogs (24-9) will make their 16th journey to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2024 after profitable their eleventh WCC Tournament earlier than becoming a member of the renewed Pac-12 subsequent season.

Whittaker, a freshman and convention participant of the 12 months, was 9-of-20 taking pictures with three 3-pointers. Allie Turner scored all 14 of his factors within the second half and Ines Bettencourt added 12.

Jenna Villa scored 20 factors for the fourth-seeded Beavers (23-11), making 9 of 10 free throws however going simply 4 of 15 from the ground. Bolden Tiara added 19 factors and eight rebounds and Lizzy Williamson he had 12 factors and 9 rebounds.

There had been 15 lead adjustments and 10 ties, the ultimate impasse coming with six minutes remaining earlier than Whittaker accomplished a three-point play. Her basket with two minutes to go made it a four-point edge. From there, the Bulldogs wrapped up the win, making 9 of 10 free throws whereas the Beavers had been simply 1 of 4 on the line and 1 of seven from the ground.

Turner hit two 3-pointers and scored 10 factors within the third quarter. Whittaker added 9 and the Bulldogs took a 53-49 lead into the ultimate interval.

Whittaker’s 3-pointer gave Gonzaga a 18-17 first-quarter lead. The Beavers outscored the Bulldogs 11-3 over the ultimate eight minutes for a 28-27 halftime edge.

The groups cut up their two regular-season video games. Gonzaga had reached 4 straight NCAA Tournaments earlier than the Beavers beat them in final 12 months’s semifinals en path to profitable the tournament.