Post-Game Comments and Highlights

LAS VEGAS  – USF knew if it was going to knock out top-seeded Gonzaga in the quarterfinals of the WCC Championships, the Dons could ill-afford to let their guard down for one minute, much less 4:19.
 
But that's all the time the nation's seventh-ranked team needed to end USF's season, as Gonzaga rallied for an 81-72 victory over the Dons in the quarterfinals of the WCC Championships in Las Vegas.
 
The Dons had the better of the fight for all but 4:19 fatal minutes in the second half, when Gonzaga scored 16 consecutive points to turn a 41-39 deficit into 55-41 lead with 9:54 left in the game. It happened that fast. It's a small consolation the Dons outscored the Gonzaga 31-26 down the stretch to keep the final score under 10 points.
 
Tim Derksen and Mark Tollefsen each scored 21 points for USF while Devin Watson added 17 to pace all Dons' scorers. Derksen also had 10 rebounds for a double-double.
 
Przemek Karnowski made 10-of-14 shots from the floor and scored a game-high 24 points while Kyle Wiltjer finished with 19. Kevin Pangos and Kyle Dranginis added 10 for the Bulldogs which advanced to Monday's semifinals where it will face Pepperdine.
 
After shooting 35.5 percent in the first half, Gonzaga shot 75 percent in the second half on the strength of a powerful inside game to fend off the Dons' upset bid.
 
"I thought our guys played hard and gave themselves a chance to beat a very good team," said USF head coach Rex Walters. "They showed great character and continued fighting until the end."
 
USF led by as many as seven points with 1:52 left in the first half after Derksen nailed a three-pointer to give the Dons a 29-22 advantage. However, Gonzaga scored the last five points of the period to whittle USF's lead down to 29-27 at the break.
 
Gonzaga drew even at 39 when Witljer completed a three-point play after being fouled by Kruize Pinkins.
 
A Derksen layup on the Dons next possession gave USF its last lead of the night at 41-39 left with 13:59 left.
 
Gonzaga then flexed its muscle and seized control of the game by scoring 16 consecutive points over the next 4:19 to turn a two point deficit into a 14-point, 55-41 lead. Wiltjer scored six of his 19 points during the decisive run, while Pangos and Gary Bell, Jr. nailed back-to-back three-pointers.
 
The Dons clawed their way back into the game and cut the Zag lead down to seven at 66-59 with 3:27 left, but could get no closer.
 
USF had no answer for Karnowski, who had his way in the paint all night en route to scoring his game high 24 points.
 
"Prezemek Karnowski is an entity that really doesn't exist in college basketball," said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few. "He has done a great job becoming even more efficient with his shots. We can always count on him to deliver."
 
USF ends its season with an overall record of 14-18 and say good bye to seniors Chris Adams, Matt Glover, Gavin Hoffmann and Kruize Pinkins.