MORAGA, Calif. – Lucie Hoskova went off for 32 points and the University of San Francisco women's basketball team got back into the win column, leading wire-to-wire against host Saint Mary's. The Dons made it two in a row over the Gaels with a 73-56 win at McKeon Pavilion.
 
"Nice to get our first conference win, it makes everybody feel a little bit better about where we are at in a positive way," said head coach Molly Goodenbour after the win. "I thought it was a nice team effort, it was one of the better 'toughness' efforts we've had in terms of kids being able to stick to the game play and get on the floor for some loose balls and things like that."
 
USF (5-6, 1-4 WCC) snaps a four-game losing streak thanks to a blistering shooting performance. The Dons shot 55.2 percent from the field, going 32-for-58, USF also go back on track from beyond the arc, connecting on 40.0 percent of their attempts 6-for-15.
 
Hoskova was simply on fire today going 14-for-18 from the field.  She becomes the first Don since Anna Seilund to score 30 or more in a contest with her impressive performance. Seilund scored 36 against Portland on Dec. 30, 2017. 
 
"Lucie has had two great games in a row. But she was definitely our go-to person today and I think we really fed of her confident play," said Goodenbour on Hoskova's afternoon
 
Joining Hoskova in double figures was Ioanna Krimili with 12 points and newcomer Jessica McDowell-White who finished with 10 in just her second game playing for the Dons. Lucija Kostic had a monster performance, she fell just four points shy of a triple double after grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out a career-high 10 assists. It was her first double-double of the year and second of her career, the last coming on Feb. 2, 2019 when she had 22 points and 10 rebounds against Santa Clara.
 
"It was nice to see Lucija get a double she did a nice job of getting her hands on some loose balls and getting those rebounds.  I like Ioanna and Jess playing together I think that's a combo that we will see a lot more of down the road as they continue to learn how to play together.  Jess has already been a great addition to our program and I'm really glad she's here and eligible," said Goodenbour.  
 
Defensively, the Dons stymied two of the better players in the league in Taycee Wedin and Finau Tonga. Both players average in double figures for the Gaels but were held to five points and eight points respectively.
 
"Amalie (Langer) played fantastic defense on Taycee Wedin who is one of the best shooters in the country," said Goodenbour. "Wedin only got two 3-point shots off against Am and was held to just five points. Amalie really helped set the tone today."
 
Saint Mary's (2-9, 0-5 WCC) had two players finish in double figures led by Ellie Croco's 12.  Brianna Simonich had 11.
 
To open the contest the Dons raced out front early thanks to an 8-0 run.  The Dons scored all eight points on layups and shots inside the key.  The first quarter ended with USF out front 17-16 after the two sides traded 3-point field goals. 
 
At the intermission, USF was able to extend its lead to five, 39-34.  Both sides shot north of 50.0 percent in the opening half, but the Dons were more effective from beyond the arc going 5-for-8 from 3-point range thanks to a 4-for-6 second quarter performance.
 
In the second half the Dons continued to rely on the strong play of Hoskova.  She scored 17 of her 32 after the break and the Dons.  Thanks to a 17-0 run late in second half and a strong defensive effort that held the Gaels to just nine points in the fourth quarter, USF pushed its lead to as much 20 with 1:17 to play.
 
Goodenbour earned her 300^th win at all levels with the win today.  The Dons' fifth year head coach has 231 career wins at the NCAA Division I and II levels and 69 wins at the junior college level.
 
The Dons return home next Thursday when they host Portland on January 14 at 6:00 p.m. Thursday's contest will be streamed on the WCC Network with George Devine calling the action life from War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.