SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Highlighted by a solid defensive effort, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team (9-10, 6-4 WCC) overcame a late deficit to defeat Oregon State (9-11, 5-4 WCC) 54-52 Thursday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• After Oregon State scored in the early goings for a 2-0 advantage, San Francisco responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Luana Leite and Freja Werth for a 6-2 lead at the six-minute mark.
• The Dons continued to build their lead, scoring eight-straight points following a Beaver two-point basket to extend the margin to 10, 14-4, with 2:15 remaining in the opening quarter.
• Mia Vukšic and Werth paced the green and gold throughout the scoring run, combining for six points on two made three-pointers.
• Facing a double-digit deficit, Oregon State failed to score for over four minutes before knocking down the final basket of the first quarter on a layup from Kennedie Schuler at 1:23 as the Dons led 14-6 at the end of the first.
• The Beavers began the second quarter on a 7-2 run, trimming the Dons' lead to three, 16-13, at 6:16. Following a three-point opportunity, cashed in by Vukšic at the free-throw line for a 19-13 advantage, Tiara Bolden and AJ Marotte scored on back-to-back possessions to bring the Beavers to within one, 19-18, near the midway point of the quarter.
• Oregon State continued to hold San Francisco in check throughout the back half of the second, regaining the lead at the 1:05 mark, ensuing a 5-0 run.
• Ending the half on a high note, Werth connected on a turnaround jumper, and Elle Papahronis knocked down a free throw to give the green and gold a narrow 25-24 edge at the break.
• Despite Oregon State recovering the lead, 26-25, at the start of the third quarter, San Francisco regained momentum and opened a four-point lead at 5:27 following an Angeliki Ziaka mid-range jumper.
• Aya Kéita followed with five straight points, two free throws, and a long three-pointer, to give the Dons a nine-point lead, 38-29, with over three minutes left. Vukšic ended the scoring run with a wide-open three-pointer at the top of the key to extend the advantage to 12, 41-29, one minute later.
• The Beavers ended the third on a high note, using a 5-0 run to trim the Dons' lead to seven, 43-36, after Ally Schimel knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
• In a highly competitive final quarter, neither team led by more than five as the Beavers led 48-43 at 5:38. Battling back later on, the Dons tied the game at 50 after Werth recorded two free throws with 2:22 remaining.
• After the Beavers scored to go up two, 52-50, Werth connected on a clutch three-pointer from the corner to push the green and gold ahead for good, 53-52.
• Following a handful of defensive stops, Ziaka connected on one of her two free-throw attempts with one second left to give San Francisco the two-point victory, 54-52. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Reaching the 20-point threshold for the third time in the last four games, Werth posted a game-high 20 points on 41.2 percent (seven-for-17) shooting. She also led the Dons with four three-pointers and tied Kéita for the team lead in rebounding with eight.
• Vukšic scored in double-figures off the bench, accumulating 13 points in a season-high 20 minutes. Shooting efficiently from the floor, she knocked down five of her eight attempts while recording two three-pointers.
• Earning her third start this season, Kéita nearly posted a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.
• As a team, San Francisco outrebounded Oregon State 37-33 and collected 18 offensive boards, the third most in a game this season. The Dons also outperformed the Beavers in second-chance points, 19-6.

POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view the full postgame interview with Head Coach Molly Goodenbour, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with Freja Werth and Mia Vukšic, please click here.

UP NEXT:
San Francisco returns to WCC play when it takes on San Diego at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Jenny Craig Pavilion. 

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:
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 primary sponsor – Coca Cola –  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.