INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Playing in their first NCAA Tournament game since 1998, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (24-10, 10-6 WCC) battled No. 20/20 Murray State to the brink on Thursday night, but ultimately fell to the Racers, 92-87, in overtime at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Matching each other stride for stride throughout the contest, the Dons and Racers traded baskets to open the game as a dunk from Patrick Tapé at the 16:14 mark knotted the score at six all.
- Just a few minutes later, USF took their first lead of the night at 11:08 on a three-pointer from Zane Meeks, which gave the Dons a 16-15 advantage.
- As the action played on, Murray State jumped back on top following a triple from OVC Player of the Year K.J. Williams, but USF responded once more with a three of their own at 6:58, this time from the hands of Julian Rishwain, to regain control, 22-21.
- Locked into a back-and-forth affair, the Dons exchanged blows with the Racers to close out the half, but USF remained in front, 37-36, at the halftime break following yet another impressive shot from Jamaree Bouyea as the buzzer sounded.
- In a game that featured 18 total lead changes, much of the same continued to open the second half as both teams displayed their grit in hope of advancing to the second round.
- Building an advantage as the game clock ticked down, Murray State held a nine-point lead, 69-60, with 4:09 remaining in regulation, but the Dons would storm back once again.
- Following three pointers from Gabe Stefanini and Khalil Shabazz, Bouyea shined on the national stage by knocking down a stepback three on the wing with just over 18 seconds left to tie the game at 73. Getting the stops they needed on the defensive end, the Dons outscored the Racers 13-4 in the final 4:09 to force overtime.
- Continuing to dominate with the ball in his hands, Bouyea nailed another NBA-range three from the top of the arc at the 2:06 mark in overtime to give the Dons a one-point lead, 84-83.
- Unable to convert down the stretch, Murray State answered by reeling off a 9-3 run to close out the contest and advance to the second round, 92-87 over USF.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Leaving everything out on the floor, Bouyea closed out his career in the green and gold with a career-high 36 points on 13 of 26 from the field. Overall, the Seaside native did not come off the floor as he played the full 45 minutes while also tallying three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal.
- Sparking energy off the bench, Meeks poured in 13 points on 5-of-7 overall and 2-of-4 from distance while also logging five rebounds, one assist and one block in 22 minutes played. Notably, Thursday's performance marked the third time the sophomore tallied double figures this season.
- Flirting with a double-double, Tapé finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and a season-high 3 blocks in 33 minutes of action.
- As a team, USF led Murray State in points in the paint (40-36), points off turnovers (16-7), second chance points (17-8) and fast break points (14-12).
POSTGAME:
MERCHANDISE:
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