The University of San Francisco women's basketball returns to action tomorrow when they travel Kaiser Permanente Arena to take on the Santa Clara Broncos. Saturday's game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on the WCC Network. George Devine will have the Dons' radio broadcast which can be accessed on the Dons Audio Network on the women's basketball schedule page.  
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: January 23, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.
Opponent: Santa Clara Broncos (8-5, 4-3 WCC)
Site: Kaiser Permanente Arena (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Stream:  WCC Network
Audio:  Dons Audio Network
Talent: George Devine
Live Stats: SantaClaraBroncos.com

USF AT A GLANCE
LAST TIME OUT
The depth and experience of the 20^th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs proved to be the difference as the Dons fell to Gonzaga 76-52 last Saturday. Lucie Hoskova was one of three players in double figures for the Dons, she finished with 14 points.  Kia Vaalavirta and Marta Galic finished with 12 teach.  Ioanna Krimili was held to single digits for the first time all season, finishing with six points.
 
SHARING IS CARING
The Dons currently rank in the top-100 in the nation in two assist categories. USF is 96^th in assists per game, averaging 14.6 per contest and they are 45^th in total assists with 190.  A big reason for that is the play from Lucija Kostic.  Kostic ranks 80^th in total assists with 47, and 80^th in assist to turnover ratio at 1.96. She is averaging 3.6 assists per game which ranks sixth in the West Coast Conference.
 
OFFENSE/DEFENSE
The Dons are 109^th in the nation in points per game, averaging 70.5 points per contest.  They rank 264^th in the nation on defense, allowing 71.5 points per contest.  The -1.0 scoring margin is 178^th in the nation.  As a team, USF is shooting 41.9 percent from the field while their opponents are shooting 43.7 percent from the floor.
 
DONS FROM DISTANCE
USF loves to hoist it up from beyond the arc.  The Dons are 46h in the nation and tops in the WCC in 3-point field goal attempts at 278.  They are 65^th in the nation in made threes with 83.  USF is 133^rd in 3-point field goals per game at 6.4 and rank 197^th in 3-point field goal percentage at 29.9 percent. 

 A WIN WOULD MEAN...
• Would improve to 42-61 against Santa Clara
• Improve to 6-4 against the Broncos under Goodenbour.
• Improve the Dons to 6-8 on the year and 2-6 in the WCC.
• Improve USF to 2-1 on Saturdays this season.   
 
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 106^th time the Dons and Broncos have faced each other.  The rival goes back to before women's basketball was officially recognized by USF.  All-time the Broncos own a 64-41 advantage in the series. Under Goodenbour the Dons are 5-4.  Last season the Dons and Broncos split the regular season with the home team coming away with the win both times. Santa Clara won the tiebreaker at the WCC Tournament, winning 72-65 at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2020.  
 
SCOUTING REPORT: SANTA CLARA BRONCOS
The Broncos are 8-5, 4-3 in the fifth year under head coach Bill Carr.  The Broncos are averaging 63.9 points per contest and are shooting 41.5 percent from the field. From beyond the arc, Santa Clara is connecting on 33.9 percent of their shots, which ranks third in the WCC.  Defensively, Santa Clara allows 61.2 points per game with their opponents are shooting 40.6 percent from the field which ranks sixth in the WCC. Lindsey VanAllen leads the team in scoring with 13.5 points per contest. Ashlyn Herlihy is the only other player in double figures, she's averaging 11.6 points per contest.