THE RUNDOWN
PROVO, Utah – Despite seeing history book and personal records fall, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team fell to BYU, 66-70, Thursday night at the Marriot Center. The Dons are now 1-9 when playing in that building, also falling to 1-2 in conference play, 6-8 overall. Although Coach Goodenbour's squad suffered a loss in their first West Coast Conference road game,
Kalyn Simon and
Michaela Rakova each put in career-high performances, and
Anna Seilund moved up in the
USF record books capturing her 159th three-point field goal.
The Cougars struck first, jumping ahead 5-0 in the opening minutes. Although San Francisco quickly closed the gap, the Dons went quiet in the last three minutes of the frame, going 0-for-7 in field-goal attempts, while BYU took the opportunity to go on a 8-0 run. The Cougars would close the quarter ahead 24-20.
The home team was able to not only hold on to their lead for most of the second, but also convert their four point lead to ten with 3:23 to go in the half. The Dons weren't ready to let them run away with it though. They responded strongly with a 9-2 spree of their own, cutting the lead down to three as the teams entered the locker room.
Just as quickly as the Dons cut the lead in the second, the Cougars picked it back up in the third. USF had no answer for Malia Nawahine who picked up her 20
th point in the quarter, pushing the lead back to seven with under 4:30 to go in the half. Again, USF surged forward, ending the quarter down three as they paced the Cougars with 14 points a piece.
The fourth quarter the two teams with identical records traded buckets, both hunting for a second WCC win. Although the Dons were able to reclaim a one-point lead, their first one since the first frame, the Cougars were able to hold them off and run away with the win.
ICYMI:
GAME NOTES
- Kalyn Simon led the way with her 19-point effort, three shy of her career high (22) that came last season against San Diego on Dec. 29.
- Michaela Rakova earned her sixth double-double of the year, registering 16 points and 19 rebounds – a new career high in boards. She had seven offensive and 12 defensive.
- Anna Seilund added 16 points and a game-high seven assists.
- Seilund's single three-pointer of the contest marked the 159th of her career, moving her up to fourth in the USF record books for career made three point field goals. She is tied with Rheina Ale (2008-12).
- The Dons out rebounded the Cougars 52-43, bringing in 11 more offensive boards than the Utah opponents.
- USF had eight fast break points to BYU's zero.
- The Dons were held to just five three pointers on the night, well below their average entering the game (7.2).
- Coach Goodnebour's squad extends a losing record to 1-9 playing at the Marriot Center.
- The game was tied on eight occasions and had 11 lead changes.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Dons take flight back to the Bay Area for a mid-day Saturday match with Pepperdine (6-7, 2-1). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Tickets are available
here!
