VICTORIA, British Columbia — For the third consecutive day Saturday at the Greater Victoria Invitational, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team executed its plan. This time, it led to yet another stout defensive effort while the offense got comfortable on the way to an 80-57 win over Houston in the tournament's consolation championship at CARSA Gymnasium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Francisco (4-4) locked down the Cougars (4-4) from the start. Houston made just two of its first 11 shots in the game (18.2%). The Dons' defense forced four turnovers and three offensive fouls in the game's first four minutes, not allowing the Cougars to get into their offense and forcing them to take outside. Meanwhile, the Dons made four of their first five and would lead by six (16-10) through one quarter.
   
• Both USF efforts continued in the second and helped the Dons secure a large lead that they wouldn't surrender for the rest of the afternoon. Four 3-pointers – two each from Lucie Hoskova and Ioanna Krimili – were part of a 16-3 run during the first half of the second period that built the Dons' lead to 19 at 32-13. Three more UH turnovers and 1 for 5 shooting helped the cause. The Cougars would only shoot 25.8% (8 for 31) in the first half while the Dons shot 40.5%.
   
• The second quarter is also when Hoskova took over the game. She scored 10 of her game and season-high 26 points in the period alone and shot a perfect 4 for 4 with two 3-pointers. When the Cougars scored six consecutive points in the third quarter to bring their deficit down to 11, it was Hoskova who drove to the basket to get to the free-throw line, starting a 13-3 run that gave USF a 21-point lead (60-39) heading to the fourth quarter.
   
• Part of San Francisco's defensive efforts included rebounding, where they beat Houston by 15, 47-32. That included a 10-rebound advantage on the defensive end (28-18) and a five-board edge on the offensive glass (19-14). The Dons had six players collect at least four rebounds each, with Leilah Vigil posting her fourth double-digit rebounds performance with 12.

THE GOODS FROM GOODENBOUR

• "We had a game plan for each team we played. Today, with limited time, playing a really athletic Houston team, again, we talked about defending the dribble-drive, keeping them away from the danger zone which is when they turn the corner and get right next to the basket, and for the most part I think we did a really good job with that."
   
• "I thought Leilah, today, had a great game for us. Hadn't done a whole 'lot for us the first two games, stepped in and played great; the day before, Mikayla has a double-double. We have some toughness, which is really nice. We have three or four players who are capable of double-digit rebounds on any given day, so to have that, even if our offense isn't great, gives you the sense that at least we may get a second chance out of it. I'm really proud of the kids. They did a great job."
   
• "For as young as a majority of our team is, they have a great maturity about them. Having a player like Dop (Balogun) and having Mikayla (Williams), who are grad transfers, bring some of that, and then I think our younger kids are fairly mature to begin with. Basketball is important to them. We have so many foreign kids and they've traveled a lot, so yes it's cool to be in a different country but they've already done those things, too. I think they understood we were here for basketball."
   
• "We need to come back Monday and probably go light and see some film on Fullerton and get focused on what's next. That's the best part about sports – win or lose, there's always something coming up, so you need to stay in the moment. But I was really, really encouraged by this trip. This could've easily gone the other way. I think it's really encouraging for us as we get closer now to conference play."

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 3: Vigil scored a season-high 18 points to go with her 12 rebounds, marking her third double-double of the season and third in the last six games. She was a season-best 8 for 9 from the free-throw line and also chipped in two assists and two steals.
• 26: Hoskova's 26-point performance Saturday was the Dons' third 20-point game by a player this season. Ioanna Krimili has the other two, scoring 32 on Nov. 5 at Northern Colorado and 25 at UC Davis on Nov. 22.
• 47: San Francisco pulled down more than 40 rebounds for the second straight day and fourth time this season with 47 Saturday. It included their second-most offensive boards (19) and second-most defensive boards (28).

COMING UP

• San Francisco returns home to host Cal State Fullerton at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, part of a doubleheader with the USF men's team. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.