Game #11
San Francisco Dons (5-5, 0-0 WCC) vs. Portland State (5-3, 0-0 Big Sky)
Thursday,  Dec. 18, 2014 • 7:00 p.m. 
Memorial Gymnasium • San Francisco, Calif.
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Audio/Video Streaming: TheW.tv (Pat Olson, Play-by-Play; Jim Brovelli, Analyst)
Television: None

Complete USF Game Notes (PDF) | Complete Portland State Game Notes (PDF)

The Dandy Dons

• Now 5-5 on the season after dropping a 78-71 decision to Cal Poly Monday night in Memorial Gymnasium...have lost two straight and are 2-5 over last seven games after opening the season with three straight wins...were 6-4 at the 10-game mark last season and 6-5 after 11 games.
• Face Portland State for the first time in program history on Thursday, the fifth first-time foe on the 20-14-15 schedule (South Carolina State, Florida Gulf Coast, Evansville and Houston Baptist).
• Are 4-2 at home this season and are 17-7 on the Memorial Gym hardwood over the last two seasons...averaging 80.8 ppg and shooting 52.8 percent from the floor in six home games this season.
• Lost the battle of the boards for the first time this season vs. Cal Poly (41-30)...lead the WCC in rebounds per game (40.7), offensive rebounds (13.4) and rank third in rebound margin (+8.6)...senior Kruize Pinkins ranks fourth in the WCC in rebound average (7.2) and is second in offensive rebounds per game (3.4).
• Four players - Pinkins (7.2), Matt Glover (5.7), Mark Tollefsen (5.6) and Tim Derksen (5.0) - are averaging at least 5.0 rebounds per game.
• Shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, third-best in the WCC...have shot 50 percent or better in four games this season, including a season-high 66.7 percent effort vs. Montana.
• Shooting just 55.7 percent (141-for-253) from the line after 10 games, last in the WCC...free throw percentage is the second-lowest among 345 Division I teams...USF shot just 64.8 percent (523-for-807) from the line last season.
• Have made just 45.8 percent (49-for-107) of their free throws in five losses which have come by an average of 10.2 points...have missed 27 free throws in losing last two games vs. Eastern Washington and Cal Poly.
• Rank third in the WCC in field goal defense (.396) but are 10th in three-point defense (.357).
• Senior Kruize Pinkins continues to lead the team in scoring (16.6) and rebounding (7.2)...he ranks in the top-10 in four WCC statistical categories, including scoring (8th), rebounding (4th), field goal percentage (9th; 54.9) and offensive rebounds (2nd; 3.4).
• Junior Mark Tollefsen has scored in double figures in all 10 games this season, including a career high 23 points vs. Evansville...he now ranks second behind Pinkins in scoring average at 14.2 ppg...he has started 48 consecutive games dating back to the 2012-13 season, the longest streak on the team.
• Have used three different lineups in 10 games thus far this season...used three starting combos all of last season.
• The win over Houston Baptist was Rex Walters' 103rd coaching victory at USF...six other Don coaches have reached the 100-win milestone.
• Close out the non-conference schedule Sunday afternoon at Cleveland State...open WCC play on Dec. 27 at Pacific.

Notables

Opening Tip
USF (5-5, 0-0 WCC) plays its final non-conference home game Thursday night when the Dons host Portland State (5-3, 0-0 Big Sky). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Gymnasium. The Dons have dropped two straight afer Monday night's 78-71 loss to Cal Poly while the Vikings are coming off a 65-59 win over Cal State Bakersfield last Saturday.

Series History with Portland State
Thursday night's game will mark the first ever meeting between USF and Portland State. The Vikings are one of five first-time foes on the Dons' schedule this season, along with South Carolina State, Florida Gulf Coast, Evansville and Houston Baptist.

Last Time Out
USF lost its second straight game Monday night, dropping a 78-71 decision to Cal Poly in Memorial Gymnasium. The Dons were outrebounded (41-30) for the first time this season and also allowed the Mustangs to shoot 50.9 percent from the floor. USF trailed by seven at the half and as many as 14 in the second frame before rallying to take a short-lived 70-69 lead with 2:06 remaining. However, the Mustangs outscored the Dons 9-1 down the stretch. The Dons were led in scoring by Mark Tollefsen's 16 points while Kruize Pinkins (14), Tim Derksen (13) and Chris Adams (12) also reached double figures. USF managed to make just 10-of-23 of its free throw attempts, dropping the season percentage down to 55.7.

Fan Guide

Ticket Information
Individual game tickets for all USF home games this season are available on line at USFDons.com or by calling (415) 422-2USF. General admission tickets are available for as low as $10.
 
Parking Information
Parking is available free of charge two hours prior to tip-off until one hour after the conclusion of the game in any campus lot, with the exception of designated green parking spots and the top of Hayes-Healy garage on Golden Gate Avenue adjacent to the gymnasium.
 
The Hilltop Club Level
USF Athletics is pleased to announce the opening of The Hilltop, a new club level where fans 21 and older can enjoy beverages and catered food options before and during designated games during the 2014-15 season. Located in the upper mezzanine level on the south side of Memorial Gymnasium, The Hilltop will open one hour before tipoff and will remain accessible throughout the game. Beer, wine, soft drinks and catered food options will be available to all fans 21 years of age and older. Admission to the The Hilltop is priced at $25 per game. Season passes for all games with the exception of designated premium games may also be purchased for $250. Food and drink options are extra. The cost does not include a game ticket.