Game 17
San Francisco Dons (9-7, 3-3 WCC) vs. Loyola Marymount Lions (7-9, 0-5 WCC)
Thursday,  Jan. 14, 2016 • 7:00 p.m.
War Memorial at The Sobrato Center • San Francisco, Calif.
Series Record: USF 110-40
Last Meeting: Feb. 19, 2015 (USF 72-45)
Audio Stream: TheW.tv (Pat Olson, Play-by-Play; Jim Brovelli, Analyst)
Video Stream: TheW.tv (Ray Crawford, Play-by-Play; Jordan Cornette; Analyst)
Live Stats: USFDons.com

Complete USF Game Notes (PDF)

Opening Tip
USF (9-7, 3-3 WCC) returns home Thursday night to host the Loyola Marymount Lions (7-9, 0-5 WCC) in War Memorial at The Sobrato Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. The game will be streamed live on TheW.tv. The Dons splits a pair of road games last week, defeating San Diego, 73-65 before falling at BYU, 102-92 on Satursday. The Lions dropped a pair of home games to Saint Mary's (73-48) and Pacific (60-58) to remain winless in conference play. Thursday night's game is a featured match-up of Jesuit Basketball Spotlight, which promoted Jesuit higher education through basketball.

USF at a Glance

• Now 9-7 overall and 3-3 in the WCC after dropping a 102-92 decision Saturday night at BYU... five Dons scored in double figures led by Devin Watson's 25 points but the Cougars made 15-of-30 of their three-point attempts en route to the 10-point victory.
• Home for two games this week beginning with Loyola Marymount on Thursday night...the Pepperdine Waves make their annual visit to the Hilltop on Saturday afternoon.
• USF split last year's series with the LMU and are 15-7 vs. the Lions dating back to the 2006-07 season.
• Are 7-3 at home this season and are 15-11 in the last 26 home games...are 77-41 at home under head coach Rex Walters.
• Averaging 91.0 points (455 total) over its last five games...averaging 75.6 ppg on the year - fifth best in the WCC.
• Of the Dons nine wins this season, five have been by a combined total of 19 points while four others have been by a combined total of 72 points...were 1-4 in games decided by five points or fewer last season.
• Have made 53-of-116 (45.6) of its three-point tries over the last five games, including a season-high 14 vs. Gonzaga...Devin Watson (15-for-30) and Ronnie Boyce (17-for-35) are a combined 32-for-65 (49.2) during that stretch.
• Have trailed at halftime in 11 of its 16 games this season and are 5-6 in those contests...averaging 32.4 points and shooting 40.3 percent in the first half this season compared to 41.8 and and 48.6 percent after intermission.
• Have had four or more players score in double figures in each of the last five games and seven total on the season...are 5-2 in games when at least four players hit double digits (losses to Gonzaga and BYU).
• Sophomore point guard Devin Watson is now averaging 20.3 ppg this season, which ranks second in the WCC behind Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (21.5)...he has been in double-figures in 15 of 16 games this season including eight games of at least 20-points.
• Senior guard Tim Derksen is averaging 15.3 ppg and 6.5 boards a game...he ranks eighth in the WCC in scoring and is t-ninth in rebounding.
• The duo of Watson and Derksen is averaging 35.6 ppg (569 total) and account for 47 percent of USF's season point total (569 of 1210).
• Junior Ronnie Boyce has scored in double figures in all six WCC games and has tallied at least 20 points in three of his last five contests, including a career high 22 at San Diego...he is averaging 16.7 ppg in WCC play.
• With 121 wins in seven-plus seasons on the Hilltop, Rex Walters is ranks sixth on USF's all-time career win list among coaches...he has coached 240 games, which ranks third all-time behind only Jim Brovelli (286) and Phil Mathews (262).

The Matchup

About Loyola Marymount
Stand 7-9 overall and 0-5 in the West Coast Conference…dropped home games last week to Saint Mary's (73-48) and Pacific (60-58)…have nine new players on its 15-man roster…led in scoring by junior Adam Jacko, who is averaging 14.3 points per game, which ranks 11th in the WCC…also tops the Lions in rebounding at 6.5 per game and has four double-doubles on the year…sophomore Steven Haney is scoring 11.6 points a game and had a career-best 26 points earlier this season against Cal State-Fullerton, which included 7-of-12 shooting from long distance…point guard Brandon Brown ranks fifth in the WCC in assists per game at 5.7…he is also averaging 13.3 points a game to rank as the conference's 15th-leading scorer…junior Marin Mornar is one of the WCC's best shot blockers…he is averaging 1.2 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the conference…Lions are the second-best free throw shooting team in the conference at 71.4 percent…shooting 40.7 percent from the floor as a team, which ranks ninth in the WCC…lead the WCC in turnover margin at +3.5…under the direction of second-year head coach Mike Dunlap, who graduated from LMU in 1980…served as head coach of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats during the 2012-13 season…also spent time with the Denver Nuggets and served on staffs at Arizona, Oregon and St. John's…won a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships at Metropolitan State in Denver.

Series History vs. Loyola Marymount
USF leads the all-time series with Loyola Marymount, 110-40. The two schools split a pair of games last season, with LMU claiming a 70-69 decision in San Francisco on Jan. 24 and the Dons returning the favor with a 72-45 victory on Feb. 19 in Los Angeles. The Dons have won 15 of the last 22 meetings with LMU and is 41-14 vs. the Lions dating back to the 1990-91 season.  Seven out of the last 12 games in the series have been decided by two points or fewer. The two schools have met seven times in WCC Tournament action, with the Dons holding a 5-2 edge.

Last Year's Meetings With Loyola Marymount
In the first meeting on Jan. 19 in San Francisco, USF failed to hold a 17-point second half lead and fell to Loyola Marymount, 70-69 on a putback, catch-and-shoot basket at the buzzer by Evan Payne. The Dons built a 13-point lead at the half and still led by 14 at 56-42 with 11:31 remaining. From there, the Lions went on a 21-7 run to tie the game at 63 on a 3-pointer by David Humphries with 4:13 left. Kruize Pinkins made 1-of-2 free throws with :20 left to give the Dons a 69-68 lead, but Payne's catch-and-shoot putback at the buzzer off an Godwin Okonji miss gave the Lions a one-point victory. LMU had 15 offensive rebounds and ouboarded USF, 38-37. USF shot 48.1 percent from the field, but were just 2-of-13 from three-point range and 15-of-26 from the line. Pinkins and Mark Tollefsen paced all USF scorers with 19 points while Tim Derksen added 15. Ayodeji Egbeyemi had 19 for the Lions while Payne and Humphries chipped in with 13 each.

In the return game, USF posted a dominating, wire-to-wire 72-45 victory over Loyola Marymount on Feb. 19 in Gersten Pavilion. The 27-point margin of victory was the largest by the Dons over LMU since a 34-point, 86-52 win at Gersten Pavilion in the 1997-98 season. The Dons jumped the Lions early and led by as many as 26 points in the first half at 36-10. The Dons led by 19 (39-20) at the half and outscored the Lions 14-3 over the last 7:06 of the game en route to the 27-point victory. The Dons shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded the Lions 41-27. LMU, playing without leading scorer Evan Payne, managed to shoot just 29.8 percent on the evening. Mark Tollefsen scored a team-high 21 points while Tim Derksen added 19 to pace USF's scoring efforts. Kruize Pinkins and Devin Watson finished with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Dons' Notebook

The Record
At 9-7, USF is two games ahead of its pace of last season, when the Dons were 7-9 at the 16-game mark on its way to a 7-10 start. The Dons have won are 5-3 over its last eight games dating back to Dec. 7.

The Home Record
USF is 7-3 on its home floor this season and is 15-11 in its last 26 games on the Hilltop. The Dons are 77-41 at home under head coach Rex Walters dating back to the 2008-09 season. USF is averaging 79.4 ppg and is shooting 47.7 percent from the floor in 10 home games this season.

Lineups
USF employed its fifth starting lineup of the season at San Diego, with Chase Foster returning to the starting five. A total of eight players have drawn starts this season with Devin Watson, Tim Derksen and Dont'e Reynolds holding their sports of all 16 games. Nate Renfro (10), Chase Foster (11), Ronnie Boyce (3) and Montray Clemons (1) have also earned starts this season.

The Wins and Losses
Of the nine victories, five have been by a combined total of 20 points (78-75 at Illinois-Chicago; 58-57 vs. UC Riverside; 65-61 CSUN; 96-93 vs. Coppin State; 73-65 at San Diego) while four others have been by a combined total of 72 points (80-54 vs. Rice; 67-47 vs. Delaware State; 89-76 vs. Pacific; 107-95 vs. Portland). USF erased a 19-point deficit to defeat Pacific and rallied from 15 down with 12:59 left to play against Portland. The Dons never led in losses to Fresno State, UC Santa Barbara, Montana or Saint Mary's and led for only :32 seconds in a loss to Eastern Washington. USF squandered a 16-point lead with 8:49 left to play before falling to Gonzaga, 102-94 in overtime.

Non-Conference vs. Conference Opponents
In 10 non-conference games this season, USF averaged 70.3 ppg and shot 43.7 percent from the floor, including 32.2 percent from distance. In six WCC games, the Dons are averaging 84.5 ppg and shooting 45.6 from the floor, including 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. USF allowed just 69.6 ppg to its non-conference foes but are yielding 85.7 ppg in conference action.

The Half of It
USF has trailed at haftime in 11 of 16 games and is 5-6 in those contests. The Dons being outscored 580-518 while shooting 40.3 from the floor over the first 20 minutes of games this season compared to after intermission when USF is outscoring the opposition 669-601 and shooting 48.6 percent from the floor.

The Scoreboard
USF is averaging 91.0 points (455 total) over its last five games, boosting thet team's scoring average to 75.6, which ranks fifth in the WCC. The Dons have enjoyed five of their highest scoring outputs of the season in over their last seven vs. Coppin State (96), Pacific (89) and Portland (107), Gonzaga (94) and BYU (92). USF's 107-95 win over Portland marked the first time the Dons had scored a 100 points in a game since they defeated the Pilots, 104-70 on Jan. 12, 2012. It was also the Dons highest scoring output since tallying a school record 129 points against Holy Names on Jan. 2, 2010.

Century City
USF's 107-95 win over Portland followed by a 102-94 overtime loss to Gonzaga marked only the second time in school history the Dons had scored 100-points only to give up a 100 in its next game. On Feb. 4, 1990, USF suffered a 157-115 loss at Loyola Marymount and then played the Lions again five days later on the Hilltop, falling 137-123.

Call it Even
Through 16 games this season, USF has scored the same amount of points (1,210) as it has given up. The Dons have made seven fewer field goals than the opponents, including 14 fewer (127-141) three-pointers, but have made 28 more free throws.

Dons Defensively
USF has allowed 95 or more points a game in three out of its last four games (95 vs. Portland, 102 vs. Gonzaga, 102 vs. BYU). The Dons last four opponents are averaging 91.0 ppg (364 total). The 102 points scored by Gonzaga and BYU were the most points USF has allowed since suffering a 104-65 loss at Arizona State on Nov. 20, 2009 and were the most scored by a WCC opponent since Feb. 23, 1995, when Gonzaga defeated the Dons, 106-67 in Spokane. The Dons have allowed 83.1 points (831 total) a game in its last 10 games and are allowing 75.6 ppg this season, which ranks ninth in the WCC. Opponents are shooting 42.9 percent from the field, including 36.9 percent from long distance, against the Dons this season. Both figures rank ninth in the WCC.

From the Floor
After shooting a season-low 28.3 percent at Saint Mary's, the Dons have shot 48.9 percent (154-for-315) from the field over its last five games and are now shooting 44.4 from the floor on the season, which ranks fourth in the WCC. The Dons have shot 50 percent of better in four games this season (50.8 vs. Rice; 55.8 vs. Montana; 55.0 vs. Coppin State; 58.3 vs. Portland). Junior Uche Ofoegbu ranks 11th in the WCC in field goal percentage at 52.7.

Toeing the Line
After making just 22-of-39 (56.4) of its free throws at Illinois-Chicago, USF has knocked down 237-of-336  (70.5 percent) of its free throws over its last 15 games and is now shooting 69.1 percent from the line this season -- sixth best in the WCC. After 16 games last season, USF was converting just 57.7 percent (206-of-357) of its free throw attempts. Tim Derksen (79.5) and Devin Watson (77.7) rank seventh and eighth respectively among all WCC players in free throw percentage. Last season, USF ranked last in the WCC with a 62.9 free throw percentage, which was the lowest mark since the 1985-86 season (62.4).

From Distance
USF has made 53 three-pointers in its last five games against Pacific (13), Portland (11), Gonzaga (14), San Diego (8) and BYU (7) and is shooting 45.6 percent (53-for-116) from distance during that stretch. Devin Watson (15-for-30) and Ronnie Boyce (17-for-35) are a combined 32-for-65 (49.2) over the last five games from beyond the arc. The 14 threes against Gonzaga were the most in a single game since the Dons drilled a school-record 17 treys against Idaho State in 2013-14. The Dons are now shooting 36.9 percent from three-point range on the year, which ranks fifth in the WCC. Tim Derksen has made 10-of-15 of his 3-point tries over the last four games and now ranks fourth in the WCC in three-point field goal percentage at 44.8 while Watson ranks 10th in 3's made per game (2.1). USF is allowing opponents to shoot 36.9 percent from  distance this season. Opponents have made 10 or more three-pointers in 10 games this season, including a season-high 15 by BYU on Jan. 9.

Board Work
USF has outrebounded 10 of its first 16 opponents and is +62 in the rebound column on the year. The Dons are averaging 38.9 boards a game, which ranks third in the WCC and are fourth in rebound margin (+3.9). USF ranks third in the WCC in offensive rebounds per game at 12.3. Three players - Dont'e Reynolds (6.8), Tim Derksen (6.5) and Uche Ofoegbu (4.4) - are averaging at least 4.0 boards per game. Derksen's 14 rebounds vs. Pacific were the most by a USF player since Kruize Pinkins also pulled down 14 boards last season vs. Eastern Washington. Reynolds ranks eighth in the WCC in rebounding while Derksen is tied for ninth.

Assists, Turnovers and Steals
USF has turned the ball over at least 15 times in seven of the 16 games this season and are averaging 13.5 turnovers a game, compared to the opponents at 10.8 per game. USF ranks 10th in the WCC in turnover margin (-2.69) and ninth assist-turnover ratio (0.9). Of the Dons 412 total field goals, 204 (49.5 percent) have come via an assist. USF is also averaging 4.5 steals a game to rank ninth in the WCC.

The Bench
USF's reserves are averaging 19.5 ppg this season (313 total), compared to the opponent's at 23.4 (375). The bench scored a season-high 37 points against Rice and has scored 20 or more points in five of its last seven games.

High Scoring Tandem
Devin Watson and senior Tim Derksen has combined to average 35.6 ppg (569 total) points a game this season to rank as the WCC's second-highest scoring tandem behind Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer and Damontas Sabonis, who are averaging 40.3 per outing (646 total). BYU's high-scoring duo of Chase Fischer and Nick Emery are averaging 32.5 ppg (553). Either Watson or Derksen have led the team in scoring 14 of 16 games this season and have accounted for 47 percent (569 of 1210) of USF's total point production. Watson has scored 20 or more points in eight games this season, including a pair of 30-point games,  while Derksen has four 20-point contests.

Watson Ranks Third in WCC Scoring
Sophomore point guard Devin Watson is averaging 20.3 points a game, which ranks second in the WCC behind Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (21.5). The last USF player to win a conference scoring title was Dior Lowhorn who averaged 20.1 pgg in 2008-09. Watson has been in double-figures in 15 of 16 games this season, including eight games of at least 20 points (24 at Fresno State; 27 vs. UC Riverside; 25 vs. Eastern Washington; 31 vs. Coppin State; 23 vs. Pacific; 22 vs. Portland; 33 vs. Gonzaga; 25 at BYU). He is also averaging 5.4 assists per game to rank sixth in the WCC.

Sharing the Wealth
USF had at least four players score in double-figures for the fifth straight game Saturday night at BYU. The Dons are 5-2 this season when four players score in double figures, with the only losses coming against Gonzaga and BYU.

RBIII Heating Up
Junior Ronnie Boyce III has scored in double figures in all six conference games and is averaging 16.7 ppg against WCC foes this season. He has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games, including a career-high 22 at San Diego. He is also shooting 51.1 percent (22-for-43) from distance over the last five games in which the Dons have averaged 91.0 ppg. Boyce scored in double figures in each of the first two games of the season vs. Illinois-Chicago (13) and Rice (11), but scored just six points over his five appearances before this recent stretch. He made his first career start against Pacific.

No Rest for the Weary
Devin Watson (4th; 34.7) and Tim Derksen (10th; 31.4) both rank in the top-10 among all WCC players in minutes played. Derksen has logged 2,878 minutes over his career, which ranks 10th on USF's all-time career list. At his present rate, Derksen will move into USF's top-5 for minutes played at year's end.

Derksen Joins 1,000-Point Club
With 1,174 career points, senior Tim Derksen ranks 21st on USF's all-time scoring list and needs one more point to move into a tie with John Duggan (1993-97) for 21st place and 63 more points to tie Ali Thomas (1997-01) for 20th all-time. Here's a look at where Derksen ranks on USF's all-time scoring list...

USF's Career Scoring Leaders
20.    Ali Thomas (1997-01)    1,237
21.    John Duggan (1993-97)    1,175
22.    Tim Derksen (2012-Present)    1,174
23.    Joel DeBortoli (1987-90)    1,170

Derksen on USF's 3-Point Charts
Tim Derksen has made 10-of-15 of his three-point attempts over the last four games and is now shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) from distance this season -- fourth-best among all WCC players.  Derksen is now shooting 40.4 percent (123-for-304) from long distance for his career, which ranks sixth on USF's all-time career list. Shawn Sykes (1988-90) is USF's all-time leader in 3-point percentage at 44.4 (98-for-218).

USF's Career Three-Point Percentage Leaders
1.    Shawn Sykes (1988-90)    98-218    .444
2.    Danny Cavic (2005-08)    130-295    .440
3,    Avry Holmes (2012-14)    98-223    .439
4.    Kevin Weeks (1990-92)    60-142    .423
5.    Joel DeBortoli (1987-90)    60-142    .423
6.    Tim Derksen (2012-    123-304    .404
7.    Gerald Walker (1992-96)    142-359    .395
8.    Shamell Stallworth (1999    153-389    .393
9.    Darrell Tucker (1999-03)    116-301    .385
10.    Tim Owens (1990-92)    65-170    .382

Walters on USF's All-Time Coaching Charts
With 121 wins in seven-plus seasons on the Hilltop, Rex Walters ranks fourth on USF's all-time win list and is one of seven coaches in USF history to win a 100 games. Only Jim Brovelli (296) and Phil Mathews (262) have coached more games than Walters (240) among all USF coaches. Here's a look where Walters ranks on USF's all-time coaching lists.


Fan Experience

Promotions
Thursday night's game against Loyola Marymount has been designated as Alumni Night. All USF alums may purchase an alumni package, which includes a general admission ticket, access to the Hilltop Club and one free drink for just $25. Please visit the registration link.

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
Fans 21 and older can enjoy beverages and catered food options before and during designated games during the season in the Hilltop Club Level. Located in the upper mezzanine level on the south side of War Memorial at The Sobrato Center, The Hilltop Club Level 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.

Up Next

USF will return to action on Saturday afternoon when the Dons welcome the Pepperdine Waves to the Hilltop. The contest is featured as the WCC's Game of the Week and will be televised along the conference network. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.