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SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Francisco women's basketball team extended its winning streak to five games, taking down San Jose State 82-78 Sunday afternoon from the Events Center.

The string of five consecutive is the longest in the Jennifer Azzi era, and the 7-2 start for the Dons is the best since USF's 1996-97 season. Meanwhile, the Spartans drop to 1-5 on the year, suffering its first home defeat on the season.

USF was paced by their upperclassmen, with seniors Taylor Proctor and Zhane Dikes combining for 47 points and 13 rebounds. Junior Rachel Howard added 15 points and a game-high six assists in the win to round out the double-digit scorers.

"Taylor and Z – great senior leadership," remarked Azzi on her dynamic duo. "They're both really taking ownership this season. It's their team and their teammates really believe in both of them. I'd love to see them just keep going and have outstanding senior years.

"They came to USF at a very different time and really bought into it. They both had to start as freshmen, so they took some knocks early on in their careers and now it really matters to them, and they have their hearts in it 100 percent."

Entering the contest, San Jose State was forcing its opponents into 25.4 turnovers a game. However, the steady hands and heads of the Dons shrunk the turnover count to 10, while the USF defense forced the Spartans into 23 miscues leading to 20 points. The 10-turnover mark stands as a season low the Dons.

"This was another good team win for us," said Azzi. "We had 20 assists and 10 turnovers, and we've talked a lot about having a better assist-to-turnover ratio so that was pretty good for us tonight, especially against a team that forces 25 turnovers a game."

The Dons have improved their offensive acuity this season, and currently lead the West Coast Conference in assists per game, at 17.8, nearly five more assists per night than was seen last season.

The contest was tight throughout, and the Spartans made it a one-possession game after Riana Byrd hit one of her two attempts from the free throw line with 2:41 to play. The 7-1 scoring run for San Jose State was broken on the next offensive possession for the Dons after Anna Seilund found Proctor on the left baseline. The senior from Colorado Springs, Colo., swished her third triple of the quarter to put the score at 78-72 with 2:04 remaining in the game.

The home team climbed back to within four after Nyre Harris drove in for the layup with 7.7 seconds on the clock, but San Jose State couldn't manage to get off a shot before the final horn sounded with the Dons taking the 82-78 victory.

The Spartans outshot the Dons 45 to 41 percent in the contest, and finished with the 45-32 advantage on the glass, but the +13 turnover margin in favor of the Dons was enough to close out the game with the road victory.

USF looks to continue the streak to six against a tough Long Beach State squad who enters the game with a 7-1 mark, fresh off a win against Colorado. The Dons meet up with the 49ers Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the Walter Pyramid.