Gonzaga will make its first appearance as the top-ranked team in the nation when it plays upset-minded Loyola Marymount in a West Coast Conference tournament semifinal Saturday in Las Vegas. The Bulldogs emerged as the No. 1 team in the USA Today poll as a result of 12 straight victories and a string of upset losses by previously top-ranked teams. Gonzaga will be trying for its 12th WCC title since 1985. The last time the Bulldogs did not play for a championship was in 1997.The Lions reached the semifinals with a 65-54 victory Wednesday against eighth-seeded Portland, an overtime win Thursday against No. 5 San Francisco and a two-point victory Friday night against fourth-seeded Santa Clara. Loyola Marymount hasn't had as much luck against Gonzaga this season, losing by 41 points at home to the Bulldogs on Jan. 31 and falling by 19 points 10 days later at Gonzaga. TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2ABOUT GONZAGA (29-2): There is little to stand in the way of Kelly Olynyk in this matchup. Loyola Marymount doesn't have a contributor taller than 6-8, opening the door for the 7-foot Olynyk to score and rebound at will. He's averaging 17.7 points and 7 rebounds, scoring in double digits in 26 straight games. Olynyk played 20 minutes in the first meeting against the Lions, scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. He was on the floor for 31 minutes in the rematch, totaling 20 points and six rebounds. He was held below his scoring average in three of final four regular-season games, however.ABOUT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (11-22): The Lions managed only one victory in WCC play and that came back on Jan. 10 against Santa Clara. Loyola Marymount has a proven scorer in 5-10 junior Anthony Ireland, who entered the quarterfinals averaging 20.2 points, 12th highest in the nation coming into the week. He scored 23 against Santa Clara, including a driving layup with seven seconds remaining to give the Lions the lead for good. He matched his career high with 30 points in the second meeting against Gonzaga.TIP-INS1. Gonzaga sophomore G Gary Bell Jr. shot 8-for-15 from 3-point range in the last two games to boost his season percentage to 38.5. Kevin Pangos, another sophomore guard, is shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. 2. Gonzaga senior F Elias Harris needs 11 points to move into fourth on the school's all-time scoring list, ahead of the team's radio analyst, Matt Santangelo (1,810).3. Through last weekend's games, the Bulldogs had the best winning percentage in the nation (93.5)PREDICTION: Gonzaga 85, Loyola Marymount 62