SAN FRANCISCO – A 10-3 run to begin the second half set the tone for what ended up being a one sided affair as the University of San Francisco men's basketball team earned its ninth win of the season, defeating Eastern Washington 85-63 on Thursday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
USF (9-1) overcame a sluggish opening half to finish with their eighth win by 18 or more.  Five Dons finished in double figures and were led by Frankie Ferrari's game-high 15 points.  The Dons got contributions throughout the lineup with 10 players scoring at least 2 points.  Also scoring in double figures was Charles Minlend with 14, Nate Renfro had 12, Remu Raitanen and Jordan Ratinho had 11 each.
 
From the field, the Dons had another strong night shooting.  USF connected on 51.7 percent of their shots going 31-for-60, from 3-point range USF was 11-for-25 with Raitanen a perfect 3-for-3 off the bench.
 
Eastern Washington (1-7) had all the momentum early.  Throughout most of the first half, the Eagles led or were tied with the Dons. Luka Vulikick and Jesse Hunt chipped in nine points each which propelled EWU in the early going.  They finished with 13 and 14 respectively.
 
In the second half, USF left no doubt about the outcome.  Minlend hit a triple in front of the Dons bench in the first possession to start the half.  The next defensive possession, Renfro stole the ball from the Eagles at midcourt and finished with an emphatic dunk prompting a quick timeout from the Eagles bench. 
 
GAME NOTES

• Frankie Ferrari finished with six assists, he now has 65 assists on the year to 11 turnovers for a 5.9 assist to turnover ratio – that number is currently third-best in the NCAA.
• The Dons continue to clean up on the glass.  USF outrebounded the Eagles 41-29.  For the year, USF is +12.4 in rebound margin.  The Dons rebounding advantage limited the Eagles to six second chance points.
• The Dons slow offensive start did not hamper their defensive effort. For the seventh time this season, USF held a team to less than 30 points in the first half. 
• Five players finished in double figures for the third time this season.  The Dons last accomplished that feat in the 85-81 loss to Buffalo in Northern Ireland.
• USF led for a total of 30:39 in tonight's contest, in seven of the eight Dons' wins USF has led for at least 30 of the 40 minutes.
• The 9-1 continues to be their best start of the Kyle Smith era and ranks among the top all-time. With four more non-conference games remaining USF has a chance to eclipse the 12-1 start of the 1999-00 team.

 
NEXT UP
USF will get back to action on Sunday afternoon when they host Cal State Fullerton.  The game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. tip.  Fans can tune in to the official home of USF Dons Basketball, 1550-AM The GAME to hear Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli call all the action live, the game will also be streamed live on TheW.tv.  Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased at Dons Ticket Central.