MORAGA/SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team (12-15, 8-6 WCC) closes out the regular season when it travels to take on Saint Mary's (12-16, 5-9 WCC) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the University Credit Union Pavilion and then hosts San Diego (8-19, 4-10 WCC) for senior day at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 2, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

GAME 28 DETAILS:
Date: February 29, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Opponent: Saint Mary's
Site: UCU Pavilion
Location: Moraga, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Dons Radio Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM
 
GAME 29 DETAILS:
Date: March 2, 2024
Time: 2 p.m.
Opponent: San Diego
Site: War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Location: San Francisco, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• San Francisco enters the final week of the regular season in sole possession of fourth place after earning a split at Gonzaga and Portland last week. The Dons earned a crucial road win on Saturday, Feb. 24, defeating the Pilots, 59-47, at the Chiles Center.
• In the win over Portland, three players reached double figures, led by Debora dos Santos' 15th double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
• Freja Werth also totaled 16 points, scoring all her points in the second half. Werth shot 58.3 percent (seven-for-12) from the field in 38 minutes of action while leading the team with two three-pointers.
• For the 18th consecutive game, Jasmine Gayles reached double figures as she poured in 15 points against the Pilots. Shooting 50 percent (six-for-12) from the field, Gayles contributed from range, knocking down one three-pointer.
• As a team, San Francisco held Portland to just 47 points, the second-lowest point total for an opponent this season. The Dons also accumulated 12 steals throughout the contest, the most in a game this season. Gayles and dos Santos led the green and gold with a season-high four steals apiece, while Luana Leite (three) and Paula Tirado (one) also contributed. The Dons forced the Pilots into 18 total turnovers, the second most by an opponent this season.
• Throughout conference play, San Francisco ranks fifth in the WCC in scoring offense (65.4 points per game) and third in scoring defense (62.9 points per game). A strong perimeter defensive team, the Dons rank third in opponent three-point percentage, holding teams to just 27.3 percent from distance.
• In 27 games, the Dons rank second in the league in rebounding, corralling 38.0 per game. Dos Santos leads the team overall, averaging 10.6 per game, while Werth ranks second at 5.7.

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Saint Mary's enters Thursday's contest after splitting two road games last week at LMU and San Diego. The Gaels earned a narrow 70-66 win over the Lions on Thursday, Feb. 22, before dropping a 69-52 decision to the Toreros on Saturday, Feb. 24. 
• Despite the loss Zerykia Aokuso put up double digits with 19 points and seven rebounds against the Toreros. Aokuso ranks first on the team in scoring, averaging 11.3 points per game this season. She has reached double figures in eight of the 14 WCC games, surpassing the 20-point threshold twice.
• A threat on both sides of the ball, Ali Bamberger propels the team with 10.2 points per game while also leading the team in rebounding, averaging 4.5. Bamberger thrives on the offensive glass, gathering 38, which ranks 17th in the WCC.
• As a team, the Gaels pose a threat offensively, currently ranked fourth in the WCC in field goal percentage, shooting at a 42.9 percent clip. 

SCOUTING THE TOREROS:

• San Diego has won three of its last four games in conference play and is coming off a a decisive 69-52 win over Saint Mary's in the final home game on Saturday, Feb. 24. After their weekend split, the Toreros hold eighth place in the WCC standings, with a conference record of 4-10.
• In the Toreros' last outing against the Gaels, Veronica Sheffey had a team-high 19 points and seven assists. Currently leading the team in assists with 141, she ranks third overall in the WCC. Defensively, she carries the most steals (39) and defensive rebounds (142) on the team this season.
• Notably, Kylie Horstmeyer has reached double figures in her last seven games, as she averages 10.0 points per game.

SERIES HISTORY:

• Saint Mary's holds the upper hand against San Francisco all-time, earning wins in 48 of the 80 meetings. The Dons earned their second straight win over the Gaels earlier this season, pulling out a narrow 59-54 victory on the Hilltop on Thursday, Feb. 8.
• San Francisco holds the advantage over San Diego in program history, winning 45 of the 81 meetings. In their last meeting this season, the green and gold fell 77-66 on the road at Jenny Craig Pavilion on Saturday, Feb. 3. 

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
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SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor - Planet Orange - 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.