SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Hosting their first West Coast Conference game on the Hilltop this season, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (11-6, 0-2 WCC) fell to San Diego (8-8, 1-1 WCC), 80-68, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on Saturday evening.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Catching fire from behind-the-arc to begin the ballgame, USF raced out to a 14-4 lead in the first four minutes of the contest on the strength of four made threes, including two early triples from Khalil Shabazz.
• Continuing to apply pressure to start, the green and gold pushed their advantage to fourteen, 24-10, at the 9:57 mark following five straight points from Zane Meeks.
• Answering back in the minutes to follow, the Toreros responded with a 17-4 run over the next seven plus minutes to trim their deficit to just one, 28-27, with 2:44 remaining in the first half.
• Following baskets from both sides to close out the first twenty minutes of action, USF held a two-point lead over USD at the break, 34-32.
• Riding their momentum out of the locker room, San Diego used a 7-0 run to open the second half as a pair of free throws from Marcellus Earlington helped the Toreros to a five-point advantage, 39-34, at 18:08.
• As the half played on, USF stayed within striking distance as the Dons trailed by six, 49-43, after a layup from Isaiah Hawthorne at the 13:00 mark.
• Although USD would extend their lead to double digits down the stretch, the green and gold kept fighting by knocking down another triple, this time from Marcus Williams, to keep close, 65-59, with 3:20 left in regulation.
• Unable to convert on their final possessions, USF could not complete the comeback they needed to grab their first conference win as the Toreros hung on to secure the 80-68 victory. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Going over 20 points for the sixth time this year and the second straight game, Shabazz finished with a team-high 21 points to go along with eight rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes played.
• Doing his part down low, Meeks tallied 12 points and eight rebounds, including four offensive boards, in addition to one assist in 23 minutes total.
• As a team, USF led San Diego in second chance points (14-4) and bench points (18-8). 

POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view the full highlights of tonight's contest, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Chris Gerlufsen, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will welcome the reigning WCC champions to the Hilltop next week when the Dons host perennial powerhouse Gonzaga on Thursday, Jan. 5. Tipoff is set for 8:00 pm PST as the game will air live on ESPN and KNBR 1050 at game time. Streaming, radio, live statistics and ticket links are available via the team's schedule page. 
 
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.