Gonzaga Bulldogs Defeat Santa Clara Broncos in Close WCC Matchup

No. 11 Gonzaga edges out Santa Clara in a high-scoring conference clash

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-2, 12-1 WCC) defeated the Santa Clara Broncos (22-5, 13-1) 83-81 in a close West Coast Conference matchup on Saturday night at Leavey Center in Santa Clara, California. The game featured a high-scoring affair with both teams showcasing their offensive firepower.

Why it matters

This win keeps Gonzaga in contention for the WCC regular season title, as they now trail Santa Clara by just half a game in the standings. The Bulldogs have dominated the series historically, but Santa Clara has proven to be a tough opponent at home this season, making this a key conference battle.

The details

Gonzaga was led by forward Graham Ike, who extended his streak of 20+ point games to 6 with a team-high 22 points. The Bulldogs also excelled in the paint, outscoring Santa Clara 46-32 in that area. For the Broncos, guard Sash Gavalyugov poured in a game-high 21 points in the losing effort.

  • The game tipped off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Gonzaga has now won 12 of the past 13 meetings at Leavey Center.

The players

Graham Ike

Gonzaga forward who has scored 20+ points in 6 straight games.

Sash Gavalyugov

Santa Clara guard who led all scorers with 21 points in the game.

Mark Few

Gonzaga head coach who has led the Bulldogs to 52 wins in 58 meetings with Santa Clara.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this would be a tough battle on the road against a very good Santa Clara team. I'm proud of our guys for finding a way to get the win.”

— Mark Few, Gonzaga Head Coach (usatoday.com)

“We gave it our all, but Gonzaga just made one more play down the stretch. We'll learn from this and get ready for the next one.”

— Sash Gavalyugov, Santa Clara Guard (usatoday.com)

What’s next

Gonzaga will look to build on this win as they continue their WCC title chase, while Santa Clara will aim to bounce back and regain sole possession of first place in the conference.

The takeaway

This thrilling WCC matchup showcased the offensive firepower and competitive spirit of both Gonzaga and Santa Clara, further cementing the Bulldogs' dominance in the conference while also highlighting the Broncos' ability to challenge the perennial powerhouse at home.