Dons Storm Back in Second Half to Top Panthers

Monday, November 21

Kansas City, MO

9:30 am PT/11:30 CT

University of San Francisco

5-0,0-0WCC

Northern Iowa

1-2,0-0MVC

UNI

San Francisco

Photo by: USF Athletics

11/21/2022 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Climbing back from a fifteen-point second half deficit, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (5-0) pulled out a 75-69 come-from-behind victory over Northern Iowa (1-2) on Monday afternoon at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City as the Dons advanced to the championship game of the 2022 Hall of Fame Classic with the win.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Knocking down their first few shots out of the gate, Northern Iowa jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first two minutes of the contest, but a three-pointer from Khalil Shabazz at 16:21 brought the Dons within one, 8-7.
As the midway point of the opening half approached, local hero Zane Meeks nailed a jumper in the paint to even things up at 14.
Moving along, USF and UNI remained close as the two teams were knotted at 22 at the 7:12 mark in the first half. Finding their rhythm to conclude the first twenty minutes of action, the Panthers went on to outscore the Dons, 19-9, as they held a 43-32 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Flipping the script in the second half, USF trailed by fifteen, 50-35, after a UNI free throw at 17:43, but the Dons began to mount their comeback in the moments to follow.
At the 10-minute mark, Tyrell Roberts converted from the line to bring the Dons back within single digits, 60-51.
Entering crunch time, USF rallied together to reel off a 13-2 run down the stretch as a corner three from Marcus Williams at 4:28 tied things up at 67.
After UNI rimmed out on a couple one-and-one's in the final minutes, Shabazz put the green and gold on top for good, 71-69, on a tough fast break layup. Subsequently, he sank the free throw after getting fouled with 1:47 remaining to keep USF in front, 72-69.
Locking up on defense for the final few sequences, USF converted on three of last their four from the charity stripe as the Dons hung on, 75-69, to improve to 5-0 and advance to the championship game of the 2022 Hall of Fame Classic.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

Getting it done on both ends of the floor, Shabazz was named Player of the Game after finishing with new season-highs of 24 points, seven assists and four steals to go along with five rebounds. Impressively, the fifth-year guard shot 8-of-16 overall from the field and 5-of-11 from distance.
Shining in front of his hometown fans, Meeks logged his second straight double-double by tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Earning the win as a team, USF outscored UNI off the bench (25-4) while also leading the Panthers in points off turnovers (19-9), second chance points (4-2) and fast break points (12-2).

POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:

To view the full postgame interview with head coach Chris Gerlufsen and Khalil Shabazz, please click here.

UP NEXT:
USF has advanced to the championship game of the 2022 Hall of Fame Classic as the Dons will face off against Wichita State tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 11:00 am PT/1:00 pm CT.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.

MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.