Complete game notes (PDF)
USF (1-2) at San Jose State (3-1)
Game 4
Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. | The Event Center
Video: sjsuspartans.com/video | Audio: usfdons.com/live | Live Stats: sjsuspartans.com | Radio: 90.5 FM, KSJS
Just the Facts, Ma'am
The University of San Francisco women's basketball team hopes to use what head coach Jennifer Azzi called a "maturity game", a double-overtime loss to Long Beach State, to the team's advantage as USF travels to San Jose State.
It took heroics by the San Francisco women's basketball team to force extra periods – twice – but the Dons eventually succumbed to the visiting Long Beach State 49ers 85-82 at War Memorial Gym.
The Dons were led on the night by 16 points from freshman Rachel Howard, and a 15-point, 12-rebound performance by junior Taj Winston. All told, the Dons had five double-digit scorers in the mix, with Jamie Katuna, Claudia Price and Taylor Proctor each reaching at least 10 points in the contest.
Scouting the Dons
So far in this young season, Taj Winston is pacing the Dons with averages of 17.0 points and 3.3 steals per game. Rachel Howard, a freshman from Berkeley, Calif., is not far behind as far as offensive output is concerned. In her first three games for the Green and Gold she has contribued 16.7 points per game on .488.
Paige Spietz comes in as a leading rebounder for USF, averagine 7.7 rebounds per game. Spietz has jumped for the tip in all five contests, including exhibitions, and the Dons have always come away with the first possession of the game.
Know the Foe
San Jose State has begun the 2013-14 campaign 3-1, including a 90-84 victory over Evansville in its last time out.
The Spartans are led by Ta'Rea Cunnigan's 21.3 points per game on .440 shooting from the field. For her efforts last week, Cunnigan was named Mountain West Player of the Week. During the week, she passed the 1,000 career-point plateau, becoming the 13th player in San José State women's basketball history to do so, reaching the milestone in 63 games, the second quickest to the mark in program history.
Averaging 90.2 points a game as a team, San Jose State has five players posting double-digit scoring numbers (Cunnigan, James, Smith, Woodberry, Byrd) and Riana Byrd adds a team-high 9.5 rebounds a night for the Spartans.
USF and San Jose State - The Series
San Jose State owns a 22-16 advantage in the all-time series, but the Dons are riding a three-game winning streak against the Spartans. In the last meeting, USF dominated to pull away with a 92-64 victory at War Memorial Gym on Dec. 15, 2012.
USF was led by then-senior Mel Khlok, who poured in 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting. The Dons shot 47.8 percent from the field and finished with four double-digit scoring efforts in the contest (Khlok, Alicia Scafidi, Aundrea Gordon, Zhane Dikes). San Jose State was led by 16 points from Ta'rea Cunnigan.
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Start Spreading the News
The Dons started the 2013-14 campaign on the road in New York, splitting a pair of games in the Big Apple. The trip marked the first time USF has traveled east of the Mississippi since the 2008-09 season opener at No. 6 Tennessee (11/15/08).
Overtime Hijinks
After a furious comeback and a last-second 3-pointer from Taj Winston, USF fell to Long Beach State 85-83 in double-overtime Nov. 17. The game marked the Dons' first multiple-overtime game since a 101-96 triple-overtime win at Colorado State Nov. 13, 2007.
On the Air
Listen to longtime voice of the Dons, George Devine behind the mic all season long. Devine is in his 18th season as the play-by-play voice of USF women's basketball.
Hear the call and follow along with live stats and video for all home contests at War Memorial Gym, in partnership with Stretch Internet. Catch the action for both home and away games at usfdons.com/LIVE.
Devine's Dimes
"The Dons and the Spartans have hooked up for some great games over the years. I especially remember USF's first win of 2011-12 coming at the Event Center. Another great game came here in 2006-07, when USF defeated San Jose State 52-48 in overtime.
"This building holds a special place for me in that I called one of my first TV games here, back in 1995, for a high school championship game on a South Bay community access station." - Devine on San Jose State
Get Connected
Fans can keep up on the latest in USF Athletics in a variety of ways.
Follow USF Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ DonsAthletics
Follow USF women's basketball on Facebook at www.facebook.com/San FranciscoWBB, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/USFBasketball
Check out video of the Dons in action at www.youtube.com/usfdonsathletics
