SAN FRANCISCO — After a competitive first half between the University of San Francisco men's basketball team and Dartmouth that saw both teams shoot better than 45 percent from the field, it was a smothering defensive effort in the second half and a 19-2 run by the Dons that led USF to an 84-65 win on Saturday. Extending their winning streak to six games to start the season.
 
After a cold night shooting against Harvard on Wednesday, the Dons came out on fire, shooting 52.9 percent in the first half.  The problem was, Dartmouth (3-3) connected on 45.2 percent of their attempts from the field.  The two sides traded buckets throughout the opening half, with the Dons going into the locker room up 42-34 thanks to a late 10-2 run capped off by a triple from Frankie Ferrari.
 
Three different Dons scored in double-figures. Ferrari recorded a team-high 19 points, shooting 50.0 percent from the field and from the 3-point line, while dishing out seven assists and four rebounds. Matt McCarthy recorded his third double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 boards. Charles Minlend tallied 14 points and pulled down four boards. 
 
Dartmouth opened the second half with a quick layup and a trey to cut the Dons lead to three, 42-39.  A timeout called by the Dons' bench got USF back on track. Three-point field goals by Nate Renfro and Jordan Ratinho and three defensive stops got the Dons back up nine.  From there it was all USF. 
 
The Dons' defense kept the Big Green scoreless for the next 3:54 and went on an 11-0 run.  They extended that to a 19-2 run over the final eight and a half minutes to put the game away, prompting head coach Kyle Smith to empty the bench.
 
Dartmouth had three in double figures and was led by Chris Knight who had 15 points, 13 of which came in the opening half.  The Big Green shot 41.0 percent from the floor and 40.7 percent from 3-point range going 11-for-27 from beyond the arc.
 
GAME NOTES:

• The Dons 6-0 start is the best under head coach Kyle Smith and is the second best start since the Dons opened the year 10-0 in 1981-82.
• Four 3-point field goals in garbage time kept the Dons from securing their fifth win of at least 25.
• The Dons still came away with a 19 point victory, they are +27.7 over their opponents in scoring margin this season.
• As of print time, the Dons are one of 31 undefeated teams left in the NCAA, which includes WCC members Gonzaga and LMU.
• The Dons shot well from beyond the arc on Saturday, shooting 44.0 percent (11-for-25), the 11 made 3-point field goals is third most this season. 

 
UP NEXT: San Francisco travels across the Atlantic for its first road trip out of the state of California when the Dons head to Belfast, Northern Ireland for the second annual Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic. The Dons will take on Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 30th at 1:00 p.m. local, 5:00 a.m. PST. Tune in to Pat Olson and Jim Brovelli as they call the game live courtside on 1550-AM The GAME, the official home of USF Dons Basketball. The game against SFA will also be televised on CBS Sports Network.