SPOKANE, Wash. - J.P. Batista's tip-in gave No. 4 Gonzaga the lead late and Loyola Marymount's Chris Ayer missed a layup at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a 68-67 on Monday night in the West Coast Conference tournament final.
The Zags (27-3) earned their eighth-consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, but they would have made it even had they lost. Loyola Marymount (12-18) was trying to win their way in and had a great chance to pull the upset.
Trailing by one, the Lions inbounded the ball with 10.6 seconds left and the Gonzaga defense bottled up Brandon Worthy in the corner. He found Ayer's underneath, but he rushed the shot and missed badly.
Despite poor shooting, Gonzaga won the WCC tournament for the third straight time and seventh of the past eight. But it was the first time the event was held in Spokane.
Adam Morrison led all scorers with 23 points, but made only six of 18 field goals. Batista, playing with an injured leg, added 13 points and 10 rebounds.