Senior forward Ben Gregg was two points shy of surpassing his career-high, finishing with a team-high 23 in the 95-75 win on a crucial stage.
A new bar outside of the Chase Center here in San Francisco called ‘Splash’ was hosting both a Gonzaga Bay Area Alumni gathering as well as a USF pregame before the battle for second place in the West Coast Conference. An enjoyable experience to talk to both sides who understood how much this game meant. The Zags for seeding rights and the Dons just to try to get in the field. Everything was on the line for both programs.
Once stepping inside the arena and listening to the player introductions, it would be fair to say that the San Francisco fans outnumbered Gonzaga fans about 60-40. Zag fans are a different breed and travel well, especially on such a major stage like the home of the Golden State Warriors.
Basketball side of things, alright. In the final regular season game for the Zags with so much on the wire, senior Ben Gregg understood the assignment. He was damn near close to his career-high in points but finished with the team-high 23 points through the defining win. Previously this season, he had 24 points on November 29th against Davidson in the Battle 4 Atlantis and also at Portland on January 25th.
Gregg had a rough beginning shooting the ball against the Dons, same with Michael Ajayi (zero points on 0-for-3 field goals/0-for-2 three pointers in seven minutes). San Francisco coach Chris Gerlufsen was almost welcoming the idea of those two forwards shooting from the top of the key.
But watching the Clackamas native grow from his decision to be Zag back in 2020 to now, a buoyant and mature version of himself has been noticeable on the court for a few weeks. He means a lot to the substantial community in the Pacific Northwest.
While Gregg was close to breaking his own personal scoring record, so was Ryan Nembhard with his assists in a single game. The Bob Cousy Award candidate finished with 15 assists for the third time this season. The other two both came against Santa Clara this season. Nembard’s mark on the West Coast Conference has been immediately noticeable since transferring from Creighton out of the Big East Conference two seasons ago.
Talking about significance of winning WCC tourney, Ryan Nembhard says “I really haven’t won nothing in my college career.”
Great reaction from Ben Gregg. pic.twitter.com/i3y6cYI0u7
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) March 2, 2025
Off the bench, Gonzaga’s Emmanuel Innocenti put some quality minutes throughout this one. The leak out for the fast break layup, diving on the floor for the tip out to the lead guard in Nembhard, hitting that three-pointer out on the wing. The Tarleton State transfer finished with an impactful seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
INNOCENTI ON pic.twitter.com/ZFapjlVYwk
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) March 2, 2025
San Francisco guard Malik Thomas is the favorite for the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, wouldn’t have guessed that after his performance tonight. The USC transfer finished with 13 points on a bumpy 4-for-18 from the field shooting.
Coach Chris Gerlufsen has a deep backcourt, displayed through senior guard Marcus Williams (game-high 28 points on 11-for-15 field goal shooting, five assists). A scary moment for the sophomore guard Ryan Beasley who went down late in the first half. Rushed into the locker room with what seemed like a leg injury.
An update on Ryan Beasley, who had to be taken to the Hospital for further examination:#USFDons pic.twitter.com/zQXLmweACA
— Rocco Miller (@RoccoMiller8) March 2, 2025
The stage has been bright for both these two programs throughout this season. The Zags have played against UConn at Madison Square Garden, UCLA at Intuit Dome. This is San Francisco’s second time at the Chase Center this season, also playing at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee against Loyola-Chicago. The exposure for the league’s competitive and talent factor across the board has been put on watch nationally.
Gonzaga now has secured the No. 2 spot for the West Coast Conference Tournament and an automatic trip to the semifinals at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The next opponent for the Zags could be the Dons again on Monday, March 10th.
Even before this win, the Zags were obviously going to be in the NCAA Tournament field. Right now, they look right about at the 8/9 line. A run at the West Coast Conference title against Saint Mary’s could put them at 7/6. One game at a time.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho