Box Score
(San Francisco) - Behind nine second half points from freshman Aundrea Gordon, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team posted a furious comeback but fell short Sunday, falling 63-53 to Ohio at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. Gordon finished the afternoon with a career-high 14 points.
San Francisco (1-10) and Ohio (4-5) played evenly through the opening minutes of the game, with the Bobcats holding an 18-17 edge at 7:55. Ohio turned of the heat, though, holding USF scoreless over nearly six minutes. During the span, the Bobcats opened a 16-0 run to take a 34-17 lead. Vania Singleterry hit a three to break the run, and lead the Dons to five points over the final two minutes of the first half.
Ohio led USF 37-22 at halftime. In the opening stanza, USF scored 16 points off the bench, bolstered by five from both Gordon and Singleterry.
The second half was a different story, as San Francisco outscored Ohio 31-26 over the final 20 minutes. Down by 17, the Dons began to slowly chip away at the Bobcats' advantage. Following a put-back bucket by Whitney Daniels, the Dons switched the mometum to go on an 11-1 run and pull within five, 46-41, at 11:21. The USF defense was key in the span, not allowing an Ohio field goal in the four minute run.
Down the stretch, San Francisco remained within striking distance, but was unable to come out on top. Ohio hit eight free throws over the final four minutes to secure the 10-point victory.
Joining Gordon as double-digit scorers for the Dons was Bailey Barbour and Rheina Ale. Barbour fell just shy of a career-high with 10 points, while Ale added 10. Ale has scored in double-digits in six consecutive games for the Green and Gold.
Barbour paced the USF defense with eight rebounds, while she and Daniels each posted a pair of blocks. Ale and freshman Taj Winston both grabbed three steals.
Shavon Robinson and Tenishia Benson paced the Bobcats with 15 points each. Benson added a game-high nine rebounds.
San Francisco will return to the court Saturday when they host Sacramento State at War Memorial Gym at 5 p.m. The game will be a double-header with the Dons' men's team, who will host Menlo, 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
