SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Robert Sacre scored 20 points and Sam Dower had 18 Thursday in leading No. 24 Gonzaga to a strong second half and a 73-62 victory over Santa Clara.
Gonzaga won for the eighth time in nine games and moved within a half game of St. Mary's for the lead in the West Coast Conference.
The Bulldogs owned only a one-point lead with 14:20 to play but dominated the rest of the way while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Sacre and Dower combined to make 14-of-19 shots and Kevin Pangos added 10 points for Gonzaga (21-4, 11-2 WCC).
The Bulldogs have league games remaining against San Francisco, Brigham Young and San Diego. St. Mary's has a 12-2 record with road contests left against Portland and San Francisco. Gonzaga and St. Mary's have split their two meetings this year with Gonzaga having posted a 73-59 victory last week.
Evan Roquemore led Santa Clara (8-18, 0-13) with 21 points.
