GLENDALE, Ariz. _ All Gonzaga had to overcome was a gruesome eye injury, the lost momentum from relinquishing a 14-point lead, its toughest defensive opponent and three of its best players teetering on the edge of fouling out in the final minutes.
Of course, the Bulldogs were also faced with the historical mountain of having never played in the NCAA Tournament championship game.
But the 'Zags did it.
The top-seeded Bulldogs held off a furious rally by seventh-seeded South Carolina for a 77-73 Final Four victory to continue their historic run. On Monday, they will face the winner of the later Final Four game at the University of Phoenix Stadium between top-seeded North Carolina and No. 3 seed Oregon.
Guard Nigel Williams-Goss led Gonzaga with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting with six assists and five rebounds. Zach Collins was also brilliant with his first career double-double, scoring 14 points with 13 rebounds.
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski returned to the second half after suffering a poke to the eye in the first half that had caused him to writhe on the court in pain. South Carolina's Chris Silva appeared to hit him unintentionally on a follow through with his hand as he blocked a shot.
Karnowski finished with 13 points and five boards, while Bulldogs forward Zach Collins finished with six blocks.
The Gamecocks had been known for its big comebacks and dominant second-half performances in the tournament, scoring 65 points against Duke and coming back from three halftime deficits in its four previous tournament games.
Known for its stifling defense, South Carolina relied on a fired-up offense to make it a ball game.
South Carolina transformed a 14-point second half deficit into a 67-65 lead with 7:06 remaining with a 16-0 run that included with a momentum-shifting 3-pointer by Sindarius Thornwell.
But the lead lasted less than 30 seconds.
Gonzaga responded with a 7-0 run that included some tough inside plays by Karnowski.
Thornwell, who had been averaging about 25 points per tournament game, had a quieter night with 15 points on just 4-of-12 shooting. South Carolina was led by PJ Dozier's 17 points.
