SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team went into the locker room all smiles after holding visiting Cal State Fullerton to 18 points in the first half.  Nursing a 20 point lead the Dons coasted to a 14 point, 68-54 win over the Titans to improve to 10-1 on the season.
 
USF (10-1) came out on fire to open the contest. The Dons shot 51.9 percent from the field and went 8-for-16 from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes.  That combined with a stellar defensive effort that limited Cal State Fullerton (3-8) to 8-for-26 from the field.
 
Out of the break, the Dons frenetic offensive pace slowed, as they finished just 11-for-24 from the field.  Overall, USF still shot well, going 25-for-51 from the floor and 10-for-26 from 3-point range.  Three players finished in double figures for USF who were once again led by the trio of Frankie Ferrari (16 points), Charles Minlend (14 points), and Jordan Ratinho (13 points).
 
In all, the Dons had eight players score at least three points.  The Dons usually active bench was outscored tonight 19-14 by Cal State Fullerton who only had two players in double figures.  Kyle Allman finished with 14, he came into the contest averaging 18.8 points per game.  Jackson Rowe had 10, he was the only other Titan in double figures.
 
At halftime of today's contest, the Athletics department celebrated the 60^th birthday of War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  Honored at midcourt were Hal Urban, '62 and John Cunning ham '59.  Urban was a member of the freshmen squad in 1958 and therefore has the honor playing in the first ever game at War Memorial Gym.  Cunningham was a member of the varsity team and vividly remembers giving up a bucket to Seattle's Elgin Baylor in the waning minutes of that contest. Seattle came away with a 60-58 win on Dec. 4, 1958 the first game played at War Memorial Gym.
 
GAME NOTES:

• The Dons improved to 606-254 (.705) at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  Under head coach Kyle Smith the Dons improve to 34-10.  This season USF is 6-0 at the friendly confines, the history facility has seen four undefeated seasons, the last coming in 1980-81 when the Dons went 18-0.
• For just the second time this season the Dons, one of the nation's leading rebounding teams, were outrebounded by their opponent.  Cal State Fullerton had a 33-30 advantage on the boards.  The only other team to outrebound the Dons was Buffalo.  The Dons are now 1-1 when being outrebounded.
• The Dons outshot their opponents for the 10^th time this season.  USF finished the game connecting on 49.0 percent of their shots – the Titans shot just 40.0 percent.  The only game this season in which the Dons did not outshot their opponent came in the 61-57 win over Harvard on Nov. 21.

 
POSTGAME QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KYLE SMITH
 
THOUGHTS ON TONIGHT'S PERFORMANCE?
"We got out and made a few baskets early on. It was strange because Cal State Fullerton doesn't really give up that many attempts, but they defended really well. I thought we defended pretty good throughout the game as well. We did have a little lull there in the second half. We stayed steady defensively."
 
THOUGHTS ON THE TEAM'S DEFENSE?
"Jordan Ratinho is a really good defender and he took on the toughest guy. Charles Minlend had moments there too. I think with Jamaree Bouyea is an elite defender on the perimeter. We have, Nate Renfro and Matt McCarthy who really helped our team as well. Jimbo Lull played on a sprained ankle. It was a team effort."
 
WITH THE 10-1 RECORD, ARE THERE AREAS WHERE THE TEAM CAN IMPROVE?
"There are always areas to get better. They had veterans that were pressuring Frankie Ferrari the entire game. We decided to flip it and put the ball into Charles Minlend's hands. He made a couple of nice plays and the team was able to score. I think that was a great change up because Frankie Ferrari was taking most of the possessions. Now we have other ways to create our offense and I thought that was something to take away from us moving forward."
 
IS THIS WHERE YOU HOPED TO BE IN YOUR THIRD YEAR OF COACHING?
"Way head. I would love to be. I was always questioned when we will be able to compete like the way we are now. I thought we had a good group early on as far as their attitude and how well they were embracing what we were doing. When Nate Renfro and Matt McCarthy became seniors, I said "we will become something." I didn't necessarily think we would be 10-1, but that was enough time to add some new pieces to the program."
 
NEXT UP
The Dons will return to action on Wednesday when they host Norther Arizona for game three of a four-game homestand.  The Dons and NAU will tip at 7:00 p.m.  Wednesday night's game will be streamed via TheW.tv fans can also tune in 1550-AM The GAME to hear Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli call the action courtside on the official radio home of USF Dons Basketball.  To purchase tickets, visit Dons Ticket Central.