SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team (8-5, 1-1) earned its first WCC victory of the season, using a third-quarter push to defeat Portland (7-7, 1-1) 67-64 Tuesday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
Led by Mara Neira's 16 points, three players scored in double figures for San Francisco. Along with Neira, Nataša Taušová and Candy Edokpaigbe chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
 
The Dons recorded 39 rebounds throughout the contest, with Sol Castro collecting a season-high 13. Her five offensive boards also paced the team, while the Dons' 14 total offensive rebounds led to 12 second-chance points.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• San Francisco struggled at the start of the game, as Portland gained a 13-6 advantage at the 4:07 mark of the first quarter.
• Chipping away at the deficit, back-to-back layups from Taušová got the Dons to within three, 15-12, but a last-second three extended the Pilots' lead to six, 18-12, at the end of the opening period.
• Portland kept adding to its lead, building a 29-20 advantage at 4:42 of the second quarter following a 6-0 scoring run. The green and gold scored the final six points of the first half, with Paula Tirado, Taušová, and Castro recording layups to get the Dons to within three, 29-26, at halftime.
• After the Pilots scored the first basket of the third quarter, pushing the margin to five, 31-26, the Dons scored 28 of the final 33 points of the period to take a commanding 54-36 lead into the final quarter of play.
• Despite an impressive fourth quarter from Portland, outscoring San Francisco, 28-13, the green and gold held on late, forcing a turnover on the Pilot's final possession to secure the 67-64 victory.

• As a team, San Francisco found success from the three-point line, knocking down eight shots from distance, tied for the second most in a game this season. Neira led the way with four while Taušová and Aina Cargol recorded two three-pointers apiece.
• Neira led the team in scoring with 16 points, her third game this season in double figures. She also tied her season-best in field goals made with six while shooting 54.5 percent (six-for-11) from the field throughout the game.
• Defensively, the Dons forced 29 Pilot turnovers, the most in a game this season, surpassing the 28 Sacramento State committed at Chase Center on December 17. Meghan McIntyre led the team in steals with four, while Neira (three), Edokpaigbe (two), and Noelia Mouriño (two) also contributed on the defensive end.
• San Francisco's 14 offensive rebounds marked the 10th time this season the program has recorded double-digit offensive boards in a game. Castro led the team with five as the Dons totaled 12 second-chance points.

• To view the full highlights of tonight's contest, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Molly Goodenbour, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with Sol Castro and Mara Neira, please click here.

UP NEXT:
Following its first WCC win of the season, San Francisco hits the road for the first time in conference play when it travels to take on San Diego at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 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 US:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor – ABM –  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.

*This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive*