LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Aiming to knock off the nation's top team in the semifinal round of the 2022 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (24-9, 10-6 WCC) outscored No. 1/1 Gonzaga (25-3, 13-1 WCC), 44-34, in the second half of Monday night's matchup, but the Zags ultimately proved to be too much as they topped the Dons, 81-71, at Orleans Arena.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Unable to find much rhythm out of the gates, the Dons did not get on the board until a three from Gabe Stefanini on the wing at the 16:46 mark in the first half.
• As the action played on, Gonzaga extended their early lead to double digits, but USF stayed within striking distance, 25-16, on another triple from Stefanini with 8:31 left in the half.
• Scoring the final six points of the half for the Dons, Julian Rishwain enjoyed some success offensively to close out the first twenty minutes, but USF trailed the Zags at the break, 47-27.
• Flipping the script in the second half, Shabazz (2) and Josh Kunen hit three in a row from beyond-the-arc as play resumed to trim the Gonzaga lead to 15 at the 16:21 mark.
• Not going down with a fight, GU responded by pushing their advantage to twenty-four, 67-43, following a layup from Andrew Nembhard at 11:49, but the Dons clawed back once more down the final stretch. After Shabazz knocked down a jumper in the paint with 2:57 remaining in regulation, USF was back within nine, 77-68.
• Making one last effort, Kunen sank a free throw with 1:32 on the game clock to bring the Dons within eight, 79-71, but this was as close as USF would get. Hanging on to advance to their 25^th consecutive West Coast Conference Tournament Championship Game, No. 1/1 Gonzaga would upend the Dons by a final score of 81-71. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Cashing in on five triples for the sixth time this season, Shabazz tied his season-high with 27 points on 10-of-25 from the floor, 5-of-15 from deep and 2-of-2 from the free throw line in 34 minutes played. Scoring 23 of his 27 in the second half, the Seattle native also added three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
• Enjoying a stellar shooting night, Rishwain tied his season-high with 20 points on 7-of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point land and 3-of-4 from the stripe in 29 minutes played. Notably, the 6'5" guard also tallied a season-high eight rebounds along with one assist and one steal.
• Overall, USF led Gonzaga in second chance points (11-4), fast break points (13-10) and bench points (22-10) while limiting the Zags to 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from beyond-the-arc.

POSTGAME:

• To view the full postgame press conference with head coach Todd Golden and guards Julian Rishwain and Khalil Shabazz, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with associate head coach Chris Gerlufsen, please click here.

UP NEXT:
USF will await the announcement of the 2022 NCAA Tournament field as the Dons will find out their fate on Selection Sunday, which is scheduled for this Sunday, Mar. 13. The 68-team field for men's basketball will be announced at 3:00 pm PT/6:00 pm ET on CBS.
 
MERCHANDISE:
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:
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