STOCKTON, Calif. - Going on the road for the first time in conference play, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (12-3, 2-0 WCC) will begin a two-game trip on Thursday night as the Dons are set to battle Pacific (5-11, 0-2 WCC) at Alex G. Spanos Center.
 
GAME 16 INFORMATION:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm PT
Opponent: Pacific (5-11, 0-2 WCC)
Location: Alex G. Spanos Center / Stockton, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KNBR 1050
Live Stats: SIDEARM Sports
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• In their last time out, San Francisco came out victorious in another instant classic with Santa Clara as the Dons defeated the Broncos in overtime, 97-94, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on Monday, Dec. 30. Leading the way offensively, Malik Thomas finished with a game-high 34 points, which included going a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, while Marcus Williams impressed with 23 points.
• With the overtime victory over Santa Clara, San Francisco recorded their first overtime win at home on the Hilltop since the Dons downed Pepperdine, 63-61, on Feb. 22, 2020.
• Helping San Francisco off to a 2-0 start to begin conference action, Thomas was named WCC Player of the Week for a league-leading third time this season on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Continuing to make his case for WCC Player of the Year, the guard finished the week with averages of 26.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
• Through the first week of conference play, San Francisco sits atop the standings tied with Washington State at 2-0. So far this season, both teams are off to a 12-3 start as the two teams will meet on Saturday night in Pullman.
• Looking at the WCC, Thomas is on the heels of former teammate Stefan Todorovic (19.5 points per game) as the guard is currently averaging 19.3 points per game for the year, just 0.2 shy of Todorovic. Additionally, Thomas also ranks second in the conference with 2.1 steals per game, just 0.1 behind Oregon State's Michael Rataj (2.2). 

SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Opening up conference play on the road this season, Pacific most recently fell at San Diego, 75-65, on Monday, Dec. 30. Despite the loss, four players finished in double figures for the Tigers: Elijah Fisher (20 points), Elias Ralph (17 points), Jefferson Koulibaly (10 points) and Petar Krivokapic (10 points).
• Known for his ability to get to the rim, Fisher comes into the contest ranking seventh in Division I in free throw attempts (111) and tied for seventh in free throws made (84).
• Spreading the wealth this year, Lamar Washington currently ranks thirteenth in the country in assists per game with an average of 6.6.
• Over the offseason, Pacific retooled their coaching staff by bringing in Canadian legend and former Texas Tech assistant Dave Smart to be head coach. Regarded as arguably the most successful Canadian coach of all time, Smart led the Carleton Ravens to 13 Canadian Interuniversity Sport/U Sports national championships across 20 years. Additionally, he also served as an assistant coach for the Canadian men's national team.
• Pacific is a perfect 4-0 this season when reaching 80 points. Notably, four of Pacific's five wins this season have come when holding their opponent to under 33.0 percent from beyond-the-arc. With their next victory, the Tigers will match their win total from last season.

SERIES HISTORY:
Thursday's game between San Francisco and Pacific will mark the 115^th meeting all-time between the two programs as the Dons currently lead the all-time series 82-32. Notably, San Francisco has won six straight against the Tigers, including a season-sweep of Pacific last season. Last year in Stockton, Jonathan Mogbo's 30-point, 18-rebound double-double powered the Dons over the Tigers, 92-88. 
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor - Catholic Charities San Francisco - 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.