THE RUNDOWN
SAN FRANCISCO - The University of San Francisco women's basketball team took down Cal Poly, 83-71, on Friday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center to open the 2017-18 campaign. The Dons (1-0, 0-0 WCC) didn't manage to pull away from the Mustangs (0-1, 0-0) until the closing minutes of the first half. Most of the opening frame was spent in a tightly contested race, including four lead changes. Senior guard Anna Seilund lead the way with a hot start, highlighted by 12 points (of her total 19) to help the Dons to finish out with an eight point advantage headed into the second half.

The offensive power shifted from Seilund to junior guard Shannon Powell as she went 5-8 from the field to add 14 points for USF in the third and fourth periods. Although the visitors outscored the Dons in the fourth quarter, 20-18, they had no answer for senior forward Michaela Rakova who registered a double-double with 11 points, 11 boards. Coach Goodenbour's squad managed to out rebound (45-39), out assist (20-10), out block (3-1) and outscore the opponent to capture a win in their home opener. 

VIEWS FROM WAR MEMORIAL

Views from our first W pic.twitter.com/v5y6LusBfx

— USF Dons WBB (@USFDonsWBB) November 11, 2017

STATS OF THE GAME

• Seilund registered two game-highs, including 19 points and eight assists. She also recorded one steal, one block and six boards. 
• Seilund went 8-of-10 from the field and 3-5 from three-point range. 
• Senior forward Michaela Rakova earned her first double-double of this year with 11 points, 11 rebounds. 
• Four Dons finished in double-digit scoring (Seilund, 19, Powell, 17, Rakova 11, Kalyn Simon, 10). 
• USF shot 41.5% from the field and 52.2% from the line. 
• Dons saw their largest lead of the game (22 points) in the fourth quarter. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Dons are slated to take on Washington State (0-1, 0-0) next. The Cougars and the Dons will face off on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Tickets can be found here.