SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team could not overcome a sluggish first half that saw the Dons shoot 32 percent from the field and score 19 points. In the end, free throws were enough to hold off the Dons as Santa Clara came away with the 65-62 win on Thursday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
If you look at the hustle stats USF (10-10, 2-5 WCC) appeared to be the team that came out on top. The Dons finished the night with 21 points off turnovers, scored 10 second chance points compared to the Broncos' three, and finished with 32 points in the paint.
However, it was Santa Clara (7-12, 4-3 WCC) who came out on top after holding the Dons to 19 first half points, and 8-for-25 from the field in the opening period, including an 0-for-7 mark from 3-point range.
The Dons made it interesting in the second half. USF created 18 turnovers, 10 in the second half alone and cut the deficit to one following a layup by
Souley Boum, but could not get the crucial bucket when it needed it. USF's defense did its part holding the Broncos scoreless from the field over the final five minutes. Free throws proved to be the difference, Santa Clara went 18-for-26 from the line, 17-for-25 after the intermission.
Leading USF in scoring was
Frankie Ferrari who scored 13, he also had four assists and a pair of steals.
Matt McCarthy was the only other Don in double figures, he scored 10 while grabbing five rebounds.
Santa Clara was led by KJ Feagin who scored a game-high 23 points.
GAME NOTES
- USF was held to 19 points in the first half, their lowest since they scored 18 in the opening period against Radford on Dec. 19.
- The 24-point difference in scoring between the first and second half is the largest point differential in halves for the Dons this season. Prior to that it was the 21-point swing in the Duquesne game when the Dons followed up a 22 point first half with a 43 point second.
- The Dons fall to 25-7 when holding an opponent to less than 70 under head coach Kyle Smith. The last time the Dons took the loss when holding a team to less than 70 came against BYU at home on Jan. 4.
NEXT UP
The Dons will stay at home and host Pepperdine on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting the Dons Ticket Central.
