SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Opening the 2022-23 college basketball season on their home floor, the USF Dons women's basketball team (1-0) put together a strong and resilient effort to best the Cal State East Bay Pioneers 79-66 Monday night on the Hilltop.
Guard
Jasmine Gayles had a tremendous performance off the USF bench as she recorded her second collegiate double-double as well as her first as a Don by scoring 23 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out four assists on Monday evening. Forward
Kennedy Dickie provided a strong impact on both ends of the floor for USF as well by scoring 16 points, corralling eight rebounds and coming away with a pair of steals against Cal State East Bay.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- The visiting Pioneers came out strong to begin the game as they scored the first eight points of the night before USF was able to catch their footing and settle into the game. Providing the spark off the bench, Gayles was able to score eight first quarter points while Kia Vaalavirta and Loren Christie also brought a punch off the bench as the Dons' reserves scored 14 of the Dons' 18 first quarter points as Cal State East Bay led 21-18 following the first 10 minutes of play.
- USF was able to rebound from their slow start in the second quarter as Ioanna Krimili was able to get going with six points scored and an assist, while the USF defense buckled down and held Cal State East Bay to shooting only 30% from the field as the Dons held a 39-35 advantage at halftime.
- Both teams came out of halftime ready to score as both offenses came at firing with USF firing the first salvo by racing out to a seven point lead midway through the third quarter capped off by a Dickie four point play. The Pioneers were able to claw back in the quarter as they trimmed their deficit back to three points before the Dons added three Krimili free throws to lead 61-53 heading into the final 10 minutes.
- The Dons were able to flex their muscles in the final quarter by bearing down on the defensive end and holding the Pioneers to just 13 points in the final frame while back-to-back three point makes from Amy Baum and Dickie pushed USF's lead to double digits in route to the 79-66 victory at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Gayles led the way with her career night providing a great scoring punch off the bench by pouring in 23 points and doing great work at the free throw line as she knocked down 11 of 12 from the charity stripe. The 11 rebounds Gayles was able to secure was a new career-high.
- Dickie did a little bit of everything for the Dons on Monday night as she scored 16 points on an efficient 5-for-8 from the field as well as knocking down a pair of three point shots. The Kelowna, British Columbia native beginning her second season on the Hilltop was also the team's second leading rebounder with eight against Cal State East Bay.
- Beginning her fourth season as a Don, Ioanna Krimili scored 15 points for USF on Monday
- Providing a great spark off the bench with her defensive effort, Vaalavirta was a key contributor in the victory by scoring six points, grabbing three rebounds while also contributing a pair of assists and steals.
- Making her USF debut on Monday night, Christie provided a nice spark with her length and scoring ability by putting in five points and grabbing three rebounds while playing 11 minutes and finishing +17 while she was on the floor.
POST GAME WITH THE DONS:
USF head women's basketball coach
Molly Goodenbour -- "East Bay is a tough and scrappy team and they gave us a good game. We need better toughness from our newcomers and our defense must improve but I'm obviously happy that we started the season with a win at home. We have much to work on but I'm confident that this group is up to the task and we look forward to continuing to improve throughout the season."
UP NEXT:
The Dons will be back home this Friday for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off against the Washington State Cougars (1-0) from War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. USF and Wazzou matched up last season up in Pullman as the Cougars were able to secure a 72-58 victory on their home floor.
TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE:
Single-game tickets for West Coast Conference basketball games are currently on sale at
www.usfdons.com/tickets.
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at
www.usfdons.com/shop.
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.
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.
