University of San Francisco Athletics

Coach Jean Paul Verhoes called the Gonzaga win the Dons "ugliest of the year" but was quick to point out that every team plays some bad games. He was pleased to see the players analyze what went wrong and improve their play dramatically against Washington State. The Cougars are a notoriously physical, highly emotional team. USF managed to turn these factors to their advantage.

One key to victory was assigning sophomore forward Hege Johnsen in the task of shadowing WSU star Kim Lynass throughout the game. According to Verhees, Johnsen was able to intimidate Lynass, which frustrated the WSU attack and led to more emotional, sloppier play on the opposition's part (USFFoghorn).