Gonzaga gets over hump with victory

Bulldogs dominate Xavier, 83-59

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The criticism dogged Gonzaga wherever it went, no matter how much it won.

The Bulldogs run up their record by beating up on teams in a weak conference, then always seemed to come up short as the calendar went deep into March. Few outside of Spokane, Wash., believed the program Mark Few helped build from scratch belonged in the national powerhouse conversation.

Overrated no more, Gonzaga is finally headed to the Final Four. The Bulldogs took the pressure of history head on with a performance worthy of their No. 1 seed, rolling to an 83-59 victory against Xavier in the West Region final Saturday that should silence those critics.

“Just an incredible feeling of elation and satisfaction,” Few said. “It’s been a long, hard journey to get this program here.”

Gonzaga (36-1) claimed their spot in Arizona and history with a superb allaround game, showing off their usual offensive efficiency while flexing the smothering type of defense that had previously been the chink in their armor.

Gonzaga made 12 of 24 shots from 3-point range after struggling the first three NCAA tournament games. The Bulldogs shut down the underdog and No. 11 Musketeers (24-14) to become the first WCC team to reach the Final Four in 60 years.

Nigel Williams-Goss scored 23 points for Gonzaga and Johnathan Williams added 19 points. Now the Bulldogs are headed to the desert.

“The Final Four doesn’t validate or discredit a season. It’s not an end-all, beall,” Williams said. “Gonzaga has been a great program and we’re just happy to keep carrying the torch.”