Box Score
SAN FRANCISCO -- USF's formula for success is not complicated - balanced scoring, shoot for a high percentage and outrebound the opponent.
When all three elements are clicking, the Dons are tough to beat, as was the case Wednesday night in Memorial Gymnasium, when USF turned back the visiting Portland Pilots, 84-71.
Four Dons reached double figures, led by
Cole Dickerson and
Kruize Pinkins, who finished with 21 and 20 points respectively.
Avry Holmes scored 15 and
Mark Tollefsen chipped in with 12 as the Dons won their third straight game to improve to 14-8 overall and 7-3 in the West Coast Conference.
USF shot over 50 percent from the floor for the 11th time this season, finishing at 56.3 percent and outrebounded the Pilots, 32-24. Four Dons had five or more rebounds, led by Pinkins with seven.
The Dons made 22-of-33 free throws and knocked down 7-of-16 three-pointers.
Portland (12-10, 4-6 WCC) was led in scoring by Bryce Pressley and Alec Wintering, who each scored 15 points for Eric Reveno's club.
USF never trailed in the game but led by just six points at 70-64 after Wintering drained a three-pointer.
The Dons then scored the next seven points to take a 77-64 lead at the 1:12 mark to complete the season sweep of the Pilots.
The Dons connected on seven of their first 10 shots from the floor and built as much as a 15 point first half lead at 26-11. USF led by 17 at 37-20 at the 4:10 mark of the first half but the Pilots went on a 13-5 run to cut the lead down to nine at 42-33 with 2:05 left before intermission.
USF shot 66.7 percent from the field and took a 47-37 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Dons will return to action on Saturday when USF plays host to Gonzaga beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Gymnasium. Tickets are still available at USFDons.com/tickets.
Rex Walters' Post-Game Comments
"I thought our post players did a really good job tonight on both ends of the floor. They guarded really well and there weren't oo many easy shots down low tonight."
"We came out fired up and sometimes there's a tendancy to let down a bit. Our transition defense let up a bit and they got back into the game."
"No rebounds, no rings - but tonight we got the ring. It was a collective effort. It was angry rebounding and that's what you want."
"We felt it was a good match-up for us. We felt if we could get him (Pinkins) on the block early and he goes quick, it makes him hard to double."
