MBB | 49ers Spoil Home Opener for Dons - University of San Francisco Athletics

Friday, November 10

San Francisco

8 p.m.

University of San Francisco

0-1, 0-0

Long Beach State

1-0, 0-0

Team	1	2	F
Long Beach State	37	46	83
San Francisco	34	37	71

Photo by: Christina Leung

MBB | 49ers Spoil Home Opener for Dons

11/11/2017 12:27:00 AM | Men's Basketball

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SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team opened the game on a 7-2 run, but from there the evening belonged to Long Beach State, as the 49ers played spoiler to the Dons home opener, winning 83-71 on Friday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

USF (0-1) had three players in double figure and was led by freshman Souley Boum's game-high 22 points. Joining Boum in double figures was Jordan Ratinho who chipped in 18 and Chase Foster who had 14.

Long Beach State (1-0) had four players in double figures and was led by Barry Ogalue who had 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The 49ers were just 4-for-15 from 3-point range, but it would not matter as they got most of their production inside the key.

Going into the break LBSU led 37-34, and had it not been for the hot shooting early by Ratinho, would have led by more. The sophomore was 4-for-5 from 3-point range early in the game. After intermission, the Dons tied the game three different times, but each time the 49ers managed to get a bucket in response.

Free throws down the stretch sealed the deal for the 49ers who went 22-for-25 from the charity stripe after the intermission.

COACHES QUOTE
Head Coach Kyle Smith's thoughts on the game:
"First games are tough, two teams with a lot of adrenalin and juice. I'm down, mostly because we had a great atmosphere and crowd and it was really exciting and rewarding to our guys, and I think we were just a little antsy and anxious. But Long Beach State played well, credit to them they had a game plan and they executed it and took is out of some stuff. Hopefully we learn from it and get better."

Thoughts on the newcomers who played tonight:
"Obviously Souley did what he does, he's a good scorer. He really gave us a lift there in the second half, he got us the lead. Jamaree, he did some really good things too, he's steady. It's going to take time with those guys. Taavi came in when they were playing small and he was a defensive presence, his length and he's got some grit there. We'll only get better."

GAME NOTES

The Dons shot 37.3 percent from the field on the evening, going 22-for-59, they were 12-for-34 from 3-point range (35.3 percent).Long Beach State outshot the Dons connecting on 26-of-58 from the field for a 44.8 field goal percentage.
Much like last season, Coach Smith went to his bench early and often, nine players played at least 10 minutes for the Dons on Friday night.
With the loss, USF falls to 9-2 over the last 11 years on home openers. The last time USF lost on a home opener was against North Dakota State in 2011.
With the win Long Beach State now owns a 6-4 record all-time against the Dons.
Four Dons made their debut tonight. Boum led the new Dons with 23 minutes played, followed by Bouyea's 18 minutes. Taavi Jurkatamm registered 17 minutes with Erik Poulsen playing the final minute of the contest.

UP NEXT
The Dons return to action on Monday evening when they host St. Francis at 7:00 p.m. at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Tickets are available by calling 415-422-2USF (2873) or by visiting the Dons Ticket Central.

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