SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Grinding out their second win of the week, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (14-9, 3-5 WCC) took down BYU (14-9, 4-4 WCC), 82-74, on Saturday night at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on the strength of a combined 51 points from Khalil Shabazz and Tyrell Roberts. 
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Connecting from deep to begin the ballgame, Zane Meeks started the scoring off by nailing his first triple just 1:18 into the contest to give USF an early 3-0 lead.
• Moving the ball around in the opening minutes, another three-pointer, this time from Isaiah Hawthorne, and a fastbreak layup from Saba Gigiberia put the Dons up eleven, 16-5, at the 14:44 mark.
• Fighting back as the midway point of the first half passed, BYU trimmed their deficit to as little as seven, but another three from Hawthorne at 9:54 kept USF in control, 21-13.
• Trading baskets throughout the rest of the half, BYU stayed within striking distance throughout the first twenty minutes, but the Dons continued to answer the Cougars. Heading into the halftime break, the green and gold remained on top by nine, 37-28.
• In the second half, Shabazz joined the three-point barrage by knocking down a trey of his own at 16:21 to help USF maintain their double-digit advantage, 47-36.
• Following a trio of free throws from Shabazz at 11:52, the Dons stretched their lead to sixteen, 60-44.
• Down the stretch, BYU applied pressure on USF, which included coming with six points in the final ten seconds of the contest.
• Performing as a team at the free throw line, Shabazz converted on two shots from the charity stripe to close the game and to seal the 82-74 victory.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Pouring in a new career-high at the Division I level, Roberts was tabbed Player of the Game after finishing with 30 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal on 6-of-12 from the field, 4-of-8 from deep and 14-of-16 from the free throw line in 39 minutes played.
• Alongside Roberts, Shabazz tallied 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes, including knocking down all seven of his free throws.
• Adding firepower to the offense, Meeks (13 points) and Hawthorne (10 points) also finished in double figures for the Dons.
• As a team, USF led BYU in points off turnovers (25-19), second chance points (9-3) and fast break points (16-13). 

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.
• To view the full postgame interview with Khalil Shabazz, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will have next Thursday off as the Dons will return to the hardwood next Saturday, Jan. 28 when they travel to San Diego for a matchup with the Toreros. Tip off from Jenny Craig Pavilion is set for 7:00 pm as the game will air live on the WCC Network and KNBR 1050 at game time. Live streaming, radio and live statistics 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.