Ryan Nembhard passed his way into the record book on Tuesday. The Canadian point guard set the West Coast Conference single-season assist high during his 15-helper performance in Gonzaga's 95-76 win over Santa Clara on Tuesday. Nembhard now has an NCAA season-high 295 assists, 11 more than Emmett Naar recorded for Saint Mary's in 2017-18.

Now beyond objective debate: Saint Mary’s has taken over as the West Coast Conference powerhouse. Not an insult or slam. Just the current reality. The 74-67 Gaels win Saturday on Gonzaga’s homecourt was the fourth in the last five games against the Zags, and gave the visitors their second straight conference regular-season title.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-7, 12-3) are still alive in the race for the West Coast Conference men's basketball title — barely. The Zags trail Saint Mary's (24-4, 14-1) by two games with three to play, which means they have to beat the Gaels Saturday night,