Box Score Taj Winston scored a career-high 20 points, while
Rheina Ale added 21, but a USF rally in the second half came too late as the Dons women's basketball team dropped a 76-67 decision to Brigham Young Saturday at War Memorial Gym in San Francisco. The game between USF and BYU marked the first time the two programs have meet as West Coast Conference opponents
San Francisco (3-14, 1-3 WCC) jumped out to an early lead going up by six early. With USF up 16-14 at 12:21 in the first half, BYU (14-3, 3-1) put together a 12-2 run to go up 26-18. The eight point Cougar led marked the highest lead, for either team, in the first half.
The Dons continued to fight in the opening 20 minutes, pulling within four. Despite the energy, San Francisco was unable to regain the lead, as Brigham Young took a 38-32 lead into halftime.
BYU carried its' momentum out of the first half to go up by as many as 25 points at 4:29. San Francisco regained its' pace late in the half, going on a 21-5 run to finish the afternoon within 10 of Brigham Young. The Dons held the Cougars scoreless over the final 1:48 of the game. Down by 12 with seconds remaining, Ale hit a three at the buzzer to bring the game to a close at 76-67.
Ale paced the Dons with her 21 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Winston, who posted 11 in the first stanza, added four rebounds, two assists and two blocks to her career scoring night.
Kristen Riley led BYU with a season-high 19 points, 11 of which came in the early minutes of the game.
The Dons will be back in action Thursday as they travel to Spokane to face the nationally-ranked Zags. The tip-off between USF and No. 24 Gonzaga is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be televised in the local Spokane area on SWX.
