Complete game notes (PDF)
USF (1-3) vs. UC Davis (1-3)
Game 5
Nov. 29 | 5 p.m. | Robert A. Mott Gymnasium
USF (1-3) at Cal Poly (2-4)
Game 6
Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | Robert A Mott Gymnasium
Tournament Coverage
Video: gopoly.com | Audio: usfdons.com/LIVE | Live stats: gopoly.com | Tickets: FREE admission for all tournament games
Just the Facts, Ma'am
The University of San Francisco women's basketball team looks to halt a two-game skid as the team travels south for the Thanksgiving holiday to compete in the Cal Poly Holiday Beach Classic. The Dons will face off with UC Davis and host Cal Poly in two weekend games. Also invited to the Classic, but not facing USF in competition, is Akron.
USF is coming off a 2012-13 campaign in which the team finished 12-19 overall (4-12 WCC). Continuing to make progress in the rebuilding process, Jennifer Azzi's team earned its best record and first double-digit win tally since 2007-08.
What 2 Watch 4
Junior Taj Winston is leading the USF scoring charge, averaging 15.8 points per night. She is helped by a trio of double-digit scorers, with freshman Rachel Howard averaging 13.8 points per game and Zhane Dikes contributing 12.8 per night.
Off the bench, Jamie Katuna is averaging 12.0 points per night on a sweltering 64.7 percent shooting. Averaging 13 minutes per game, the Longmont, Colo., native is coming off a 20-point performance at San Jose State, one shy of her career scoring high. Adding Katuna's effectiveness, she's a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
USF's Paige Spietz has been solid on the jump, earning the Dons the first possession of every game thus far on the year.
Know the Foe - UC Davis
The Aggies enter the weekend sporting a 1-3 record, picking up its first win of the season with a 95-61 victory against San Jose State on Nov. 26. Two of their early-season losses came against Pac-12 opponents, USC and Stanford.
UC Davis is led by junior Sydnee Fipps, who pours in 15.3 points per game on 34.7 percent shooting, despite opening the season 1-for-16 from long range. Similar to the Dons, the Aggies have but one senior on their 2013-14 roster.
USF and UC Davis - The Series
The Dons hold a slim 6-5 series advantage over the Aggies, taking the last meeting in San Francisco, 72-65. In that contest, the second game of the 2012-13 season, then-freshman Taylor Proctor scored a team-high 18 points as the Dons shot 43.8 percent for the night. UC Davis was paced by Sydnee Fipps, who scored a game-high 26 points and got to the free throw line 11 times.
This marks the first meeting between USF and UC Davis on a neutral court.
Know the Foe - Cal Poly
The Mustangs enter the tournament with a 2-4 mark on the season, earning both wins last week at home. Cal Poly earned its first trip to the NCAA Tournament last season after winning the Big West Tournament and finishing the season at 21-11.
Cal Poly has a trio of double-digit scorers, but Molly Schlemer's double-double average of 15.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game leads the way. Joining in on the Mustang offense is Ariana Elegato (15.5 ppg) and Jonae Ervin (13.8 ppg).
USF and Cal Poly - The Series
USF holds a 13-6 all time record in the series that date back to the 1980-81 season.The Dons won the last meeting, a 71-67 affair in San Luis Obispo, halting a streak of four Mustang wins.
In USF's road win on Dec. 18, 2012, the Dons were paced by 19 points from the hand of Mel Khlok, and 17 from Aundrea Gordon. Alicia Scafidi led all rebounders with 13 boards in the contest.
The two teams are knotted at three wins apiece at Mott Gym.
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 series against UC Davis has turned into a non-conference staple for the Dons. UC Davis is still fairly new to Division I but they've grown tremendously as a program during the past decade. This game is big in the Devine household, my wife Stephanie graduated from UC Davis in 1990!" - Devine on Davis
"Cal Poly, no matter how good or bad the Mustangs are, always tests the athletic mettle of the teams it faces. Last Year's win for the Dons at Mott Gym was huge and the first in a while. I remember a USF-Cal Poly game in December 2001 that played a major role in catapulting the Dons toward post-season run! The families of the Salinas Valley also put up some great Christmas lights!" - Devine on the Mustangs
On the Horizon
USF begins the month of December with two games at home, hosting UNLV at 7 p.m., on Dec. 6.
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; enter to win ticket prizes by following the Dons on Facebook and Instagram!
Check out video of the Dons in action at www.youtube.com/usfdonsathletics
