SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team was broiled in a back-and-forth game with visiting Saint Francis on Monday evening, however, gritty defense by the Dons allowed USF to pull away late, winning 75-63 at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
With USF (1-1) clinging to 58-57 lead with four minutes to play, Jordan Ratinho gave the Dons a big spark.  The sophomore hit a contested 3-point field goal in front of the home bench to give USF a four-point cushion. Ratinho was a force for USF on the evening, going 7-for-8 from the floor and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. When the Dons needed a bucket, he responded. 
 
USF finished the game on a 13-6 run over the final 3:54, Souley Boum put the game on ice with a 3-point field goal with 1:03 in the game.  Boum led the Dons for the second-consecutive game, scoring a game-high 21 points, all coming off the bench.  Joining Boum in double figures was Ratinho with 17 and Frankie Ferrari who chipped in 11.
 
Saint Francis (0-2) had three players in double figures and was led by Isaiah Blackmon and Jamaal King who both scored 13, Keith Braxton added 12. 
 
GAME NOTES

• USF once again showed tremendous depth, 10 players saw the floor on Monday night, with nine playing 11 or more minutes.
• The Dons bench had another big night, USF's reserves finished with 41 of the Don's 75 points.Over two contests this year, the bench has averaged 39.5 points.
• Souley Boum led the Dons with 21 points on the evening, he has now scored 20 points or more in two-straight contests to start his career.
• USF was 9-for-23 for the evening from 3-point range, in the second half they were on fire from downtown, going 6-for-10 from beyond the arc.
• Junior Nick Loew made his 2017-18 debut for USF on Monday and was stellar.The big man finished with seven points and three rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
• Ferrari tied his career-high with six assists on the evening.
• Junior Nate Renfro grabbed a game-high and season-high eight rebounds, USF was solid on the glass once again, outrebounding the Red Flash 37-33.They are now plus-3 on the year.

 
NEXT UP
The Dons five game homestand continues on Friday when Sacramento State comes to town. Tipoff between the Dons and the Hornets is slated for 7:00 p.m.  For tickets call the Dons ticket office of visit the Dons Ticket Central.