NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- Hitting the road for the first time during the 2022-23 season, the USF Dons women's basketball team (6-2) put together an all-around strong team effort as they bested the CSUN Matadors (0-6) 72-49 on Thursday night at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
 
Using a balanced attack with positive contributions up and down the roster, Debora dos Santos notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Dons in the win over CSUN. Ioanna Krimili was USF's leading scorer on Thursday as well with 13 points as she knocked down a trio of three-point shots to add to her all-time program record total.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Playing in their first road contest of the season, the Dons took a couple minutes to get their feet steady as the Matadors took an early 9-8 lead ahead of the first media timeout. USF was able to excel following the first break in the action as they closed the quarter on an 11-2 run thanks in part to stellar play from Debora dos Santos who came off the bench to score six points and collect five rebounds in the first quarter as the Dons led 17-11 after the first 10 minutes in Southern California. 
• The Dons continued to turn up the intensity in the second quarter as they were able to start the quarter on a 6-0 run to build a double digit lead and for CSUN into an early timeout. Ioanna Krimili was able to knock down a pair of shots from distance and the Dons bench of Abby Rathbun and Loren Christie provided strong minutes for the USF front court as they grabbed a 39-21 lead heading into halftime.
• Coming out of the break, both teams traded baskets on their first two possessions as USF benefited from a Kennedy Dickie lay up as well as a Kia Vaalavirta made three-point shot. The Dons were then able to continue their strong work on the defensive end of the floor as they held the Matadors to 11 points for the quarter while nine Dons were able to put points on the board to lead 58-32 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
• Playing an assortment of lineups while enjoying a big lead, the Dons were able to finish strong on Thursday night as they picked up their first victory away from San Francisco as they defeated the Matadors by a 72-49 victory for their fourth straight victory in non-conference action.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• dos Santos had yet another strong outing off the Dons' bench with her second double-double of the season scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks to knock off the Matadors on their home floor.
• Krimili led USF with 13 points to go along with three rebounds, an assist and a steal in the victory over CSUN as she shot 3-for-8 from three-point distance on Thursday.
• Providing a great scoring punch off the bench, Aya Kéita was able to score seven points to go along with a rebound and a steal in her 15 minutes of action as she connected on her first three-point make of the season.
• Once again providing quality minutes off the bench, Cami Fulcher did a lot of the little things in Thursday's win, as she scored two points, grabbed five boards and dished a pair of assists in her 17 minutes of action.
• Returning to the court for the first time this season, Amalie Langer scored her first points of the season and grabbed a rebound while playing in three minutes of action against CSUN.

POST GAME WITH THE DONS:

• USF head women's basketball coach Molly Goodenbour – "I'm pleased that we were able to get our first road win of the season. It was nice to be able to play everyone some extended minutes. I thought Cami Fulcher came in and did some good things on the offensive end to keep us moving and sharing the ball. We have lots to work on as we prepare for the WCC season but definitely happy to get a road win."
• To view our post game press conference with Cami Fulcher, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
The Dons now head back home to the City by the Bay to compete again on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. against the San Diego State Aztecs (6-1) from the Chase Center for a double header with the Dons men's basketball team. Live statistics and a watch link can be found through the team's schedule page. 

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.