VICTORIA, British Columbia — The University of San Francisco women's basketball team executed its game plan Thursday with precision, forcing No. 10/8 Mississippi State into missed shots and turnovers, but the Bulldogs used a strong finish to the first half and a strong start to the second to pull away from the Dons and win, 64-32, in both teams' opening game of the Greater Victoria Invitational at the University of Victoria's CARSA Gymnasium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Francisco (2-4) was methodical in the first quarter, scoring the first basket of the game with a layup from Mikayla Williams, and later taking a 3-point, 7-4, lead on a 3-pointer from Ioanna Krimili. The Dons kept the Bulldogs (7-0) at bay by not letting them get inside the paint, forcing tough shots and then boxing them out to grab the rebound.
   
• But after the Krimili 3-pointer, the Bulldogs' defense turned it up, forcing five turnovers and building a seven-point lead. The Dons weren't done that quick, though. Lucie Hoskova, who had subbed back into the game with just under three minutes left in the opening quarter, scored seven consecutive points for USF with a layup, a 3-pointer that cut the lead to two, and two free throws to tie it right before the quarter ended. That sent the Dons and the No. 10/8 team in the country into the second quarter tied at 16-16.
   
• Even when Mississippi State grew its lead again in the second quarter, this time to nine, the Dons hung right with them, whittling it down to four at 29-25 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. A 3-pointer from Hoskova and free throws from Williams did the trick, and they had a shot to draw even closer after forcing another MSU miss. But a missed 3-point attempt and a turnover following an offensive rebound gave the Bulldogs back the ball.
   
• That was when No. 10/8 Mississippi State took over the game. An and-one layup and free-throw by Jamya Mingo-Young and a 3-pointer right before the buzzer by Rickea Jackson pushed MSU's lead to 10 at halftime. The 6-0 run to close the first half was extended into the third quarter with a 15-0 stretch that lasted nearly the entire period and grew the Bulldogs' lead to 25. Abby Rathbun's driving layup and subsequent free throw stopped the run.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 27: Mississippi State thrived in taking the ball away, scoring 27 points off of 21 USF turnovers. The 21 turnovers by USF were its most in a game this season.
• 100%: The Dons were a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line Thursday. Hoskova, Krimili, Kia Vaalavirta and Williams all went 2 for 2, and Rathbun added an and-one free throw in the third quarter.

COMING UP

• The Dons take on Bowling Green State at 11 a.m. on Day Two of the Greater Victoria Invitational. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.