SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team left no doubt who was going to come out on top, as USF defeated visiting Sonoma State 78-55.  The Dons came out swinging, going on a 28-3 run in the opening minutes to take control. In the end, four players finished in double figures for USF and head coach Kyle Smith unloaded his bench, allowing 13 players to see action tonight.
 
Defensively, USF (3-1) was relentless in the early goings. The Dons held Sonoma State to 1-for-11 from the floor to begin the contest. SSU's leading scorer Armani Nicholis was held to four points, he entered tonight's contest averaging 20.5 points per game.
 
Chase Foster got the offense going in the opening period, scoring 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half.  Foster was hot from 3-point range, going 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. Erik Poulsen provided a big boost off the bench scoring 12 of his career-best 14 points in the opening half as well.  Jimbo Lull and Souley Boum also scored in double figures.  Lull tallied a season-high 10 points, while Boum finished with 11.  
 
The Dons scored a season-best 45 points and held Sonoma State to just 19 before the intermission, USF shot 52.9 percent in that half, going 18-for-34 from the floor.  After the break, the Dons took their foot off the gas and the Seawolves outscored USF 36-33, but they could not overcome the Dons' fast start.
 
Sonoma State, members of the CCAA from Division II, was led by Jackson Gion's 12 points, no other player scored in double figures for the Seawolves.
 
GAME NOTES

• For the fourth consecutive game the Dons were very active on the glass, USF grabbed 42 rebounds, one shy of the season-high they tallied against Sacramento State. The Dons are now +5.3 in the rebound margin for the season.
• USF had 13 players see action on the evening, no players played more than 25 minutes, with 11 playing 10 or more minutes. Mladen Djordjevic and Michael Orlich made their 2017-18 debut on the evening, while Nick Loew made his first career start.
• USF finished the night with a season-best 16 assists with nine players recording at least one assist.
• Four players scored in double figures for USF on the evening, the most this season, in the previous three contests USF had three players score 10 or more.
• USF shot a season-best 50.9 percent from the field, going 28-for-55, USF was 19-for-30 inside the arc and finished with 36 points in the paint.
• The bench once again was active, USF's reserves finished with 44 points, the third time this year USF's bench has scored 30 or more.

 
NEXT UP
The Dons will enjoy a nice break, they return to action next Tuesday, Nov. 28 when the Dons end their season-long five-game homestand against UC Santa Barbara.  Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available by visiting Don's Ticket Central or calling 415-422-2USF (2873).