Box Score THE RUNDOWN
STOCKTON, Calif. – On season-high shooting and a terrific performance from
Michaela Rakova, the University of San Francisco women's basketball downed Pacific, 81-71, Thursday morning at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The Dons recorded a season-high 53.4 percent from the field. Rakova highlighted the contest with a double-double of 20 points and 20 rebounds, shooting 72.2 percent (8-11) from the field.
The contest got underway quickly as the Dons hit two three early threes, two on back-to-back possessions, from
Michaela Rakova (1) and
Shannon Powell(2) to take a 9-5 lead. With five minutes to go, Pacific called a timeout after another trey ball from USF, this time from
Kalyn Simon. Her three pointer put the Dons up 14-7.
Hot shooting from USF gave the Dons a 22-17 advantage headed into the second frame. The Dons kept the Tigers at a distance through the first three minutes of the second quarter, but then Pacific went on a 10-0 run to take a one-point lead, 30-29, with 3:25 remaining. After a timeout called by Molly goodenbour, the visitors from San Francisco responded with five unanswered points, back on top 34-30. The two teams finished the half gridlocked at 36 all.
It was all USF in the third. The Dons opened the second half on a 13-2 spree, converting to a 50-38 advantage with four minutes to go. They would close out the third quarter ahead by eight, 60-52.
By the six minute mark in the final frame USF had grown their lead to 17 points, thanks to a 10-4 run through the initial few minutes. The Dons would not look back, closing it out 81-71.
ICYMI
WHAT'S GOODenbour
On her team's performance:
"I Thought it was a great road win and I was really happy with how we responded after the tough loss at Pepperdine last week. Pacific is so athletic and they attack hard in transition and half court.
On Kalyn Simon's defense:
"I thought Kalyn played smart and tough defensively on sanders. She's a really difficult matchup, but I though Kalyn did very well. I thought overall our team defense was pretty solid."
On defense:
"Offensively we played well together—Mishka gobbled up rebounds and was really efficient with her shots. Anna Seilund and Shannon attacked well —very proud of the group effort and pleased with the win."
GAMENOTES
- Rakova led the Dons with 20 points and 20 rebounds, her 10th double-double performance of the season.
- Rakova's rebounds (20) were a career-high.
- Anna Seilund added 23 points, four rebounds and a game-high six assists.
- Both Seilund and Rakova both contributed three three pointers.
- Powell registered 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
- The Dons had a season-high field goal percentage of 53.6 percent, including 63.0 percent from field-goal range and 50.0 from three-point range.
WHAT'S NEXT
USF is rounding out their four-game road trip with their last game on the road before a three-game home stand. The Dons are due home Saturday for a contest against Gonzaga. The game will be the
Play4Kay game. Tickets are available
here, but if you wear pink, you are admitted for free!
For updates on USF women's basketball, follow the Dons on Twitter: @usfdonswbb.
