HONOLULU – USF delivered its first signature win under first-year head coach Kyle Smith tonight at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, where the Dons turned back Utah, 89-86.

The Dons, which entered the game ranked fifth nationally in three-pointers made, drilled 16-of-28 three-pointers and shot 52.7 percent from the field for the night in posting a three-point win over the Runnin' Utes, which fell to 7-3 on the season.

USF (9-2) was led in scoring by senior Ronnie Boyce, who came off the bench to score 19 points, nine of which came from long distance where he was 3-for-4 in a 20 minute playing stint.  Chase Foster nailed three long balls and finished with 12 points while freshman Remu Raitanen's season high 12 points came on four 3-pointers.

The Dons shot over 50 percent from the field for the seventh time in 11 games this season. USF tied a Diamond Head Classic record  for most three pointers made in a game and also had the dubious distinction for tying the record for most turnovers with 23.

Sedrick Barefield scored a game-high 35 points for the Utes while David Collette added 18.

The Dons took a 38-35 lead into intermission and then made eight of their first nine shots from the floor to start the second half to build a 15-point lead at 63-48. Boyce scored eight of his 19 points during the Dons' 24-13 run while Foster added six.

However, the Dons then hit a cold spell, making just one of their next eight shots from the floor to allow the Utes back into the game. 

A three-pointer by Barefield cut the Dons lead to three at 73-70 with 6:20 left. USF answered the run and boosted its lead back to eight at 82-74 with 4:20 left after a Raitanen three.

Another three-pointer by Barefield brought the Utes back to within two points at 84-82 with 1:30 remaining but Raitanen answered again with his fourth 3-pointer of the night to boost the lead back to five at 87-82 with 1:09 left.

With USF clinging to a two-point lead at 88-86, sophomore Matt McCarthy made the defensive play of the night for the Dons when he drew a charge from Barefield, denying the Utes a chance to tie or take the lead.

Frankie Ferrari made 1-of-2 free throws with two seconds left to account for the 89-86 final.

"It was a wild game," said Smith. "You never like to turn the ball over 23 times but we shot well enough to come away with a nice win. It was a confidence boost for our program, for sure, knowing we can compete and get a win over a team like Utah. Our guys weathered the storm and made some big plays when they needed to."

USF will meet the winner of the Hawaii-Illinois State game tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. PT in a game that will televised nationally on ESPN2.