SAN FRANCISCO – Free throws proved to be the difference as the University of San Francisco men's basketball team stood their ground against No. 15 Gonzaga, falling 75-65 on Saturday evening in front of a sold out crowd at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
USF (10-9, 2-4 WCC) went 9-for-19 from the charity stripe, 4-for-12 in the first half alone.  Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were 12-for-17 from the three-throw line.
 
The poor performance from the free throw line did not overshadow an otherwise strong performance from the Dons, who twice cut the deficit to six points in the second half. 
 
Leading USF in scoring was freshman Souley Boum who turned in a tremendous 22 point performance, going 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range.  Frankie Ferrari finished with 18 points of his own, 13 in the first half, going 7-for-16 from the field and 3-for-7 from long range. Jordan Ratinho joined the pair in double figures with 16 points, going 5-for-12 from the floor.
 
The trio hit big shots all evening from long range, combining to go 11-for-22 from beyond the arc, helping the Dons chip away at a 13 point deficit at the intermission.
 
Gonzaga was led by Johnathan William's 17 points, he was one of four Bulldogs (16-3, 6-0 WCC) in double figures.  Gonzaga shot 52.8 percent from the field, going 16-for-28.  In the second half, USF's defense limited the 22.2 percent from 3-point range.
 
GAME NOTES

• With a short bench, USF's reserves were outscored for the first time all season.  The Bulldogs backups scored 13 while USF's bench tallied just seven points.
• USF's defense did a stellar job of limiting the nation's third-best scoring team well below their season average.  Gonzaga entered the contest scoring 90.2 points per game and was held to 75 on the evening, 34 in the second half alone.
• The Dons shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range, going 12-for-28, it is tied for the second best 3-point field goal percentage of the season.  USF was 8-for-15 after the intermission.
• USF utilized its 11^th different starting rotation this evening.  The 11 different starting combinations is tied for fourth most in the nation.

 
NEXT UP
The Dons remain at home when the Broncos come to town on Thursday.  Tip off against the Bay Area rival is slated for a 8:00 p.m. tip.  Tickets can be purchased at Dons Ticket Central.