The metrics — and oddsmakers — indicated Gonzaga was far better than its record, and there was little doubt the Bulldogs had the ability to once again compete at a high level.

Maybe it was simply a matter of timing.

Braden Huff scored 18 points in just his second start of the season as Gonzaga avenged two regular-season losses to Saint Mary’s, beating the 19th-ranked Gaels 58-51 in the West Coast Conference Tournament championship on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs (25-8) secured the WCC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, though both teams were safely in the field regardless of the outcome.

“We’ve had an inordinate amount of one-possession games,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “I think that’s why we’re such an interesting seed going into this NCAA Tournament. I think we were 350th in luck in Kenpom. We’ve had more banked 3s on us than I could ever, ever remember in my entire career.

“Whether it’s law of averages coming through or just a little resiliency ... or maybe it’s just desperation by some seniors who don’t want this thing to end.”

The Bulldogs also got some measure of revenge for losing to the Gaels in last year’s title game, which ended Gonzaga’s run of four conference championships and 10 of 11. Gonzaga also extended its national record to 18 consecutive 25-win seasons.

Saint Mary’s (28-5) had its seven-game winning streak stopped. The Gaels also had won 17 of 18 games.

“We’ve had a great year,” Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett said. “We did not play well tonight.”

Cyclones hurting: No. 12 Iowa State could have two of its best guards at less-than-full strength in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals after Tamin Lipsey hurt his groin and Keshon Gilbert continued to deal with a muscle strain in a win over Cincinnati on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Lipsey played 29 minutes and had 16 points before leaving with just over three minutes left in the 76-56 victory over the Bearcats. He was met by a trainer along the Cyclones bench and, after a brief chat, headed straight to the locker room.

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger was optimistic that his point guard would be available Thursday, when the Cyclones play No. 17 BYU.

“He tweaked it,” Otzelberger said of Lipsey’s groin, “but I think for sure he’ll be fine and he’ll be good to go tomorrow.”

Otzelberger sounded less optimistic about Gilbert, the fifth-seeded Cyclones’ second-leading scorer, who had missed three of the previous five games because of his injury. Gilbert played 11 first-half minutes against Cincinnati, burying a 3, but he didn’t play at all in the second half, when the Cyclones finished on an 11-0 run to put away the Bearcats.

“We’ll see what he is able to do. Not sure now,” Otzelberger said. “He felt like he couldn’t get any push or any explosion. We will stretch him out and do everything we can to get him ready to play tomorrow, if that’s a possibility.”