Calgary’s Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga upset in West Coast Conference semifinals

Calgary’s Yvonne Ejim will likely not be returning to March Madness for the fourth year in a row.

Despite another big game from Ejim, the top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs lost 63-61 to underdog Oregon State in a thrilling West Coast Conference semifinal on Monday in Las Vegas.

Kennedie Shuler’s jumper with one second left gave Oregon State the win. Ejim missed a lay-up at the buzzer to end it.

Ejim finished with yet another double-double (18 points, 14 rebounds). She made two free throws with eight seconds left to tie it.

Ejim, who played for Canada at last year’s Olympics, is the lone returning starter from last year’s Sweet 16 team at Gonzaga.

While Gonzaga hasn’t been as strong as a team, the senior power forward has put up career-best scoring and rebounding numbers (20.7 points per game, 8.7 rebounds).

Last week, Ejim was named one of five finalists for the the Katrina McClain Award, presented to the top power forward in NCAA women’s basketball.

Ejim recently was voted the WCC’s player and defensive player of the year for the second year in a row.

Oregon State will face the winner of the Portland-Washington State game in the WCC final on Tuesday.