The University of San Francisco women's basketball is back on the road for a WCC matchup against Saint Mary's.  Saturday's contest is scheduled to tip off at 11:00 a.m. and will be streamed on the WCC Network.  George Devine will have the Dons' play-by-play on the Dons Audio Network.
 
GAME 9 INFORMATION
Date/Time: January 9, 2021 – 11:00 A.M.
Opponent: Saint Mary's Gaels (2-8, 0-4 WCC)
Site: McKeon Pavilion
Stream:  WCC Network
Audio:  USF Audio Network
Talent: SMCGaels.com

USF AT A GLANCE
LAST TIME OUT
The Dons could not overcome an 11-point first quarter deficit, falling to host Pacific 83-63 on Thursday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The Dons got a tremendous performance from Lucie Hoskova who led all scorers with 22 points. But it wasn't enough.  The Tigers shot 54.1 percent from the field, while the Dons shot just 31.1 percent. USF was just 4-for-31 from beyond the arc and 1-for-12 in the second half.
 
TOP FROSH
Saturday's game will feature two of the top freshman in the West Coast Conference.  The Dons are led by guard Ioanna Krimili (18.8 ppg), Saint Mary's boasts a terrific freshman in 6'1" forward Finau Tonga (10.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg).  The two have won every UCU WCC Freshman of the Week honor this season.
 
COLD STREAK
During the Dons current four-game losing streak the Dons have gone cold from distance.  USF entered WCC play averaging 9.3 made 3-point field goals per contest while shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point range.  Over the last four games, the Dons are averaging 3.75 made threes per game, while shooting just 16.0 percent.
 
A WIN WOULD MEAN...
• The Dons would improve to 2-5 following a loss.
• Improve the Dons to 3-5 on the road this year
• Give Goodenbour her 300th career win at all levels.
• Give the Dons their first win of the new year. The Dons are 0-2 this season and 9-24 in January under Goodenbour.
• Improve USF to 26-45 all-time against the Gaels.
• Give USF a 2-game winning streak at McKeon Pavilion
• Improve the Dons to 5-6 on the year and 1-4 in the WCC.
 
THE SERIES
Saturday is the 75^th time the Dons have taken on the Gaels.  The series dates back to the 1985-86 season in which the Dons defeated the Gaels on the Hilltop 73-67.  Last time out, the Dons ended a seven-game losing streak against Saint Mary's, defeating SMC 69-55 at McKeon Pavilion.
 
SCOUTING REPORT: SAINT MARY'S GAELS
The Gaels enter Saturday's game mired in a four-game losing streak.  Saint Mary's is 2-8 on the year and 0-4 in the West Coast Conference. As a team, Saint Mary's is averaging 63.6 points per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 74.5 points per contest and shooting 44.2 percent from the floor.  The Gaels have three players in double figures and are led by Taycee Wedin who is averaging 12.4 points per contest.
 
NEXT UP
The Dons will return home on Thursday to begin a two-game homestand. USF openes up the homestand taking on Portland on Jan. 14 at 6:00 p.m. That game will be streamed on the WCC Network with Georve Devine calling the action live at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.