WBB | Dons Nearly Overcome 19-Point Deficit in Texas - University of San Francisco Athletics

Thursday, December 21

Arlington, Texas

2:30 p.m. PST

University of San Francisco

5-6, 0-0WCC

UT Arlington

6-5, 0-0SBC

Team	1	2	3	4	F
San Francisco	18	4	20	12	54
UT Arlington	25	14	13	4	56

USF Dons Women's Basketball Molly Goodenbour

Photo by: Christina Leung

WBB | Dons Nearly Overcome 19-Point Deficit in Texas

12/22/2017 12:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball

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ARLINGTON, Texas – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team was defeated by UT-Arlington, 54-56, at College Park Center on Thursday afternoon. The Dons could not capitalize on the Mavericks five-game skid, mostly because of a slow first half. They fall to a losing record right before conference play, but the silver lining of the contest was the grit and determination fans saw as the Dons nearly overcame a 19-point deficit to take back the game.

The Mavericks struck first with a 14-4 run in the opening minutes of the contest. The early ten-point cushion grew to 14, before the Dons found settled into the game. A late first quarter push found USF back within seven headed into the second frame.

USF struggled in the second and were held to just four points to UTA's 14. The visitors entered the locker room shooting just 9-for-31 (29.0 percent) in the first half and only making 1-for-10 three-pointers. The lead grew to 19 at one point, setting up an uphill battle for the Dons in the second half.

Coach Goodenbour's squad came out in the third with a new energy. A quick unanswered seven points put the Bay area visitors back within a 10-point reach with 8:00 to go. Although USF outscored the Mavericks 20-13 in the frame, they were still down 10 headed into the fourth.

Veronica Preciado came out with a three-pointer to spark a 8-0 streak, putting the Dons within two points with a little over six minutes to go in the game. Holding the Mavericks scoreless for over four minutes, USF made it's move and took a one point lead. After going cold for most of the second half, UTA stepped up and hit a huge three to go ahead by one with less than a minute to go. Although the Dons had a final opportunity to inbound and get a shot off, it resulted in a turnover instead, giving the victory to the Mavericks.

ICYMI:

Q4 6:23 | USF 50 - @LadyMavHoops 52

TWO POINT GAME. Powell with the steal ?? Pierce for the fast break (in her home state)! pic.twitter.com/zG7e1YMvIH
— USF Dons WBB (@USFDonsWBB) December 22, 2017

GAME NOTES

Michaela Rakova led with 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Shannon Powell, Anna Seilund and Kalyn Simon each contributed eight points.
The Dons were held to just four points in the second quarter. In return, they held the Mavericks to four points in the final quarter.
USF outscored UTA 32-17 in the second half.
If USF would have won, they would have overcome a 19-point deficit, marking the largest deficit they've overcome in the year.
As a team, the Dons out scored in the Mavericks in the paint, 32-18.
The Dons shot 10.0 percent from three-point range in the first half, hitting only 1-for-10. They were also held to 29.0 percent shooting from the field.
USF's bench outscored UTA's bench 12-5.

UP NEXT
The Dons will enjoy a nice holiday break before coming back for their first West Coast Conference contest. San Diego will head to the Bay Area on Dec. 28, followed by a visit from the Portland Pilots on Dec. 30. Both games are FREE, courtesy of the USF athletic department! It's our gift to you!

To redeem your FREE TICKETS to WCC action, use the code DONS to redeem your tickets: San Diego | Portland.

Make sure you're following the Dons on Twitter for promotions and opportunities to win tickets to WCC games and USF women's basketball gear. We are on the eighth day of #DonsDecemberDeals and still have four to go that will include chances to win free and discounted tickets to upcoming WCC games!