Russ Coleman played Forward at 6' 5" for Saint Palos High School in Illinois. He played for the Dons from 1973 to 1976 and then transferred to the University of the Pacific. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1978, in the 5th Pick, 103rd overall, but never played for them, and he became a free agent later that year.
San Francisco, now 18-4 overall and 8-2 in WCAC play, avenged an earlier 77-75 loss to the Rebels, also 18-4 overall but 10-1 in the WCAC, by turning on the offensive machinery and nearly breaking school scoring records in the process. The 113 point output missed tying the all-time record of 114 set on February 6, 1971 in a 114-82 WCAC win over Reno, Nevada. Five players, led by Marlon Redmond's 26 points, were in double figures. Howard Smith, the Don's best player of late, added 23, including 18 in the first half, and Tony Styles, Russ Coleman and Brad Quanstrom followed with 17, 14 and 13 tallies respectively. Redmond and Smith led USF on a 27-15 surge in the final 7:19 of the half, carrying the Dons from a one point deficit to an eleven point halftime bulge, 59-48. Ricky Sobers, Las Vegas' Mr. Everything who has been the guiding force behind the Rebels' ascent to the top of the WCAC. was superbly shackled by Russ Coleman, and could manage but four first-half points (TheFoghorn).
