Gonzaga didn’t blink. In a matchup that carried real weight near the top of the WCC, the Bulldogs handled St. Mary’s (CA) 73-65 on Feb. 1, 2026, reinforcing their position as the league’s standard-bearer.

The result moved Gonzaga to 21-1 and extended a five-game winning streak, while St. Mary’s fell to 19-3 after entering the game with a 4-1 run over its last five.

Game flow: Gonzaga’s control, St. Mary’s chase

With no period-by-period scoring available, the final margin tells the story: Gonzaga consistently stayed in front long enough to force St. Mary’s into a full-game pursuit. The Gaels never found the sequence they needed to flip the script, and Gonzaga’s ability to close possessions and manage the game late proved decisive.

Turning point: the closing stretch

This one turned into a classic Gonzaga win — not necessarily about a single highlight, but about the cumulative effect of control. In a game that ended with an eight-point gap, the Bulldogs’ late-game composure mattered. When St. Mary’s needed a run to compress the margin into a true one-possession finish, Gonzaga kept the game from tipping.

What it means

For Gonzaga, the 73-65 win is another résumé-grade conference result and a reminder of why the Bulldogs are so difficult to beat when the game tightens: they can win without needing a track meet. At 21-1 and still rolling, Gonzaga continues to set the pace in the WCC race.

For St. Mary’s, the loss doesn’t erase the broader profile of a 19-3 season, but it does underline the margin for error against Gonzaga. The Gaels came in playing winning basketball, yet still couldn’t crack the Bulldogs’ control in a game that stayed within striking distance but never fully swung.

Up next

The WCC picture doesn’t get simpler from here. Gonzaga’s form suggests a team building toward March with real edge, while St. Mary’s will look to respond quickly and keep pressure on the top of the league standings.