University of San Francisco Athletics

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. – A dominating second half performance earned USF a 77-53 victory over Pepperdine Thursday night at the Firestone Fieldhouse.
 
The win boosts USF's overall record to 19-10 and at 12-5 in WCC play, the Dons maintain their hold on third place in the conference standings heading into Saturday night's game at Loyola Marymount.
 
Cole Dickerson recorded his eighth double-double of the season and 22^nd of his career, finishing with 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Avry Holmes scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half while Kruize Pinkins added 12 to pace USF's scorers.
 
Chris Adams came off the bench to score nine points and grab four rebounds, while Matt Glover contributed seven points and six rebounds. Mark Tollefsen had four, Tim Derksen five and Gavin Hoffmann chipped in with two points.
 
The Dons shot 50.9 percent for the game, including 65.2 percent in the second half as USF outscored Pepperdine, 47-21 after the break.
 
The Waves managed to shoot just 33.3 percent from the floor for the game as the Dons held their fifth straight opponent under the 70-point mark.
 
USF also manhandled Pepperdine on the boards, 40-29 to improve to 15-4 when outrebounding the opposition.
 
The Dons' crisp ball movement led to 23 assists, including a game-high six by Tollefsen.
 
The Dons made 10 of their first 19 shots from the floor and built a 25-9 lead with 8:37 left in the first period. USF then went ice cold from the floor while the Waves caught fire and went on a 23-5 run to take a 32-30 lead into the break.
 
USF wasted no time in turning the momentum back in its favor after the break. With Pepperdine holding a 38-36 lead, the Dons outscored the Waves 18-2 to take a 54-40 lead with 9:04 remaining.
 
Holmes drilled three 3-pointers during the run.
 
The Dons led 60-46 with 6:18 left before outscoring Pepperdine 17-7 down the stretch for its 12^th conference victory of the season, which are the most by a USF team since the 1978-79 season.
 
USF will close out the regular season on Saturday at Loyola Marymount. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion.
 
A win over the Lions couple with a BYU loss at San Diego would five USF the No. 2 seed in next week's WCC Championship in Las Vegas.
 
Rex Walters' Post-Game Comments
 
"I thought we started out great. We moved the ball great and were getting really good looks. I thought we got a little too happy and let them back in the game. Defensively, we were pretty good. We figured out their zone and were much better in transition defense in the second half."
 
"We got good looks and when we get good looks, we're going to make shots. Chris Adams gave us a big lift off the bench and Avry really got it rolling in the second half and Cole was solid all game. We put Mark Tollefsen on everybody tonight.
 
"Guys are really taking pride in our defense, both individually and collectively as team. Having each other's back – that's what it's about. When you believe that, you become a pretty good defensive team."
 
"I'm proud of our guys because it's been about the team. Our guys have unbelievable resolve. It's been a difficult year emotionally for everyone but we've come a long way. The guys who are here believe in each other. It's not over – we have a long ways to go."