THE RUNDOWN
SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team was defeated by Gonzaga, 81-57, Saturday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Although it was a loss for the Dons (10-11, 5-5) the game was an overall success as teams and fans alike celebrated the #Play4Kay game.
The Dons and the Bulldogs opened up the game the same way they opened up play in Spokane just two weeks ago – trading buckets and keeping it close. With three minutes to go in the first frame, the Dons led 7-6. Although Gonzaga went on a 10-0 run, USF managed to close out the quarter ahead 13-11.
The Dons struck first in the second quarter with a triple, but the Bulldogs promptly responded by going on an 11-point spree. Once Gonzaga heated up, the Dons had a hard time slowing them down. Shooting 57.9 percent from field-goal range, the visitors outscored the Dons 23-9 in the quarter, giving them a 12-point advantage at half (34-22). Besides Gonzaga's sharp shooting, USF's eight turnovers in the frame hurt their efforts to rally.
Time in the locker room didn't slow down Gonzaga as they transitioned into the third just as hot from field-goal range, again outscoring the Dons 22-12 to find their largest lead of the contest (26 points) with 2:30 to go. The Bulldogs scored 16 in the paint and 12 points off turnovers in the third.
Even though the Dons paced the Bulldogs in scoring in the fourth, 23-25, the damage had been done. Gonzaga would not surrender the lead again and would instead finish out the contest with an 81-57 win.
ICYMI:
GAMENOTES:
- Anna Seilund led the Dons with 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
- Michaela Rakova added 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in her 29 minutes of action.
- Moa Lundqvist recorded 12 rebounds, one shy of her career-high 13 from earlier this season (Jan. 11, LMU).
- The Dons had 20 turnovers, matching a season high that has been done on four occasions in the 2017-18 campaign.
- USF shot 35.1 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from beyond the perimeter.
- The Dons outscored Gonzaga 13-11 in the first quarter and shot 50.0 percent from field-goal range in the fourth quarter.
- The Bulldogs had 46 points in the paint to the Dons 18.
#Play4Kay #FT4Kay #Dons4Kay
Although the #Play4Kay game has now passed, our efforts to combat and cure women's cancers have just begun. Starting in February, we join a national initiative across high school and college teams to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Sponsored by John & Sue Gibbs, Play4Kay National Free Throw Challenge raises money by having fans and patrons pledge to donate for every free throw that is made by their team. Donators can then follow along on the
National Leader Board to see how their team's donations stack up against other teams across the country.
Although the challenge officially begins in February (
Feb. 1 vs Saint Mary's), please visit the USF women's basketball
PledgeIt.org page to pledge now! Follow along on the women's basketball twitter to track how many free throws the Dons are making throughout the month of February. Use the hashtags #FT4Kay and #Dons4Kay to join the conversation and let us know you're donating!
WHAT'S NEXT
Today's contest marked the start of a three-game home stand. The Dons will play at home on Thursday and Saturday of next week, taking on Saint Mary's on Feb. 1 and Santa Clara on Feb. 3. If you bought a ticket for the #Play4Kay game, you will be admitted free to both of those games. Contact our
ticket services for more details.
