SAN JOSE, Calif. _ Top-seeded Gonzaga moved within one victory of the Final Four with a 61-58 victory over West Virginia on Thursday at SAP Center in the West regional Sweet 16.
Actually, the Zags (35-1) didn't so much move within a victory of their first-ever trip to the national semifinals.
They clawed and scrapped and pushed and shoved in a brutal game _ the exact game West Virginia loves to play.
There were 51 fouls, which caused the game to last approximately 2{ hours.
The Mountaineers shot 26.7 percent from the field but were in position to force overtime because they blocked seven Gonzaga shots, forced 16 Gonzaga turnovers and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds.
The Zags (35-1) will play either Arizona or Xavier on Saturday for the West regional title.
Jordan Mathews' 3-pointer from the left wing gave Gonzaga a 60-58 lead with 57 seconds remaining.
West Virginia's Tarik Phillips missed a floater in the lane. Gonzaga's Silas Melson grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately. He made one of two, giving West Virginia a chance to tie.
But Jevon Carter missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds and the Mountaineers failed to get a third attempt off in time.
Mathews, Jonathan Williams and Przemek Karnowski scored 13 points apiece for Gonzaga.
West Virginia (28-9) was paced by Carter, who scored 21 points.
