SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team and the visiting Sacramento State Hornets went scoreless for the opening two minutes of the contest, from there it was all USF as they led the remaining 37 minutes, winning 69-56 on Friday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
A big reason for USF's (2-1) lopsided victory was the interior play by the Dons.  USF collected a season-high 43 rebounds, 18 coming on offense, which allowed 18 second chance points.  The Dons shot a season-low 37 percent from the field on the evening, including a 7-for-33 stretch from beyond the arc, but it did not matter as the home team got most of its production in the paint, where they scored a season-high 34 points.
 
Three players scored in double figures for USF, and was led by senior Chase Foster's game-high 19 points.  Remu Raitanen scored a season-high 12 points, followed by Jordan Ratinho who had 10.
 
USF once again emptied the bench, with 12 players seeing the floor on Friday night, 10 of them scored at least two points and eight played 15 or more minutes.
 
Sacramento State (1-2) played much better in the second half, shooting 47.8 percent from the floor after the intermission after starting the game shooting 36.4 percent from the field.  Jordan Tolbert led the Hornets with 15.
 
GAME NOTES

• USF was uncharacteristically cold from 3-point range on Friday evening.The Dons started the game 0-for-9 before Frankie Ferrari hit a three midway through the first half.USF shot a season-low 21.2 percent from distance and was just 2-for-11 after the break.
• The Dons grabbed a season-high 43 rebounds with 11 players grabbing at least one board, Raitanen led the Dons with six.
• With 13:52 in the second half, the Dons led by as much as 20 points, their largest lead of the season over an opponent.
• The Dons never trailed in this game, and led for 37:52 seconds.
• USF improves to 2-0 when leading at half, they went into the intermission tonight leading 40-24.

 
NEXT UP
The Dons will return to action on Tuesday evening when Sonoma State comes to down.  Tip-off is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.  Tickets can be purchased at the Dons Ticket Office or by calling 415-422-2USF (2873).