Author: Matt Pelc | Article Posted at: February 28, 09 - 5:02 pm

Gonzaga Bulldogs Vs. San Diego Toreros

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Gonzaga could be on cruise control when they face the San Diego Toreros on the road on Saturday night. The Bulldogs have once again proved they are the dominant force in the West Coast Conference, by winning the regular season conference title with two games left to play.

Still it is quite rare and quite an accomplishment when a team can sweep through the regular season and go undefeated within their conference. Gonzaga (22-5, 13-0) can do just that for the third time in six seasons if they win the last two games.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs officially clinched their ninth straight conference title and seventh straight outright championship when they defeated Santa Clara 81-73 on the road Thursday. Gonzaga shot 52.9 percent from the field and four players finished in double-digits, including Josh Hevlet with 29 and Matt Bouldin with 23 points.

Saturdays opponent was supposed to be Gonzagas biggest challenger this season. But San Diego (15-14,6-7), winners of last seasons WCC Tournament, lost guard Brandon Johnson, and his 13.5 points and 13 steals per game, to injury early in the season.

The San Diego Toreros were 4-3 when Johnson went down and have gone 11-11 since. They had lost seven out of eight before winning two straight over the last week, most recently a 66-60 home victory over Pacific. Matt Dorr finished with 17 points and team leading scorer Gyno Pomare had another 14.

San Diego concludes their regular season with this contest on Saturday. Giving the Gonzaga Bulldogs their first conference loss and a three-game winning streak heading into the tournament in Las Vegas would be a great pick-me-up for a disappointing Toreros season as they try to defend their tournament championship.

The Toreros defeated the Zags in last seasons championship game 69-62, but Gonzaga got revenge when they beat San Diego at home 64-47 on January 31st. Gonzaga has won nine out of the last 10 games against San Diego.