Box Score BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team cruised to a 22 point victory over visiting San Jose State in the 2018-19 debut on Friday night at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.  The Dons ran away with it after a strong second quarter where they outscored the Spartans 18-4.
 
USF (1-0) had an incredibly balanced offensive night with five players scoring in double figures.  Leading the team with a game-high 17 points was senior guard Shannon Powell.  Powell started the night quietly, being held to four points in the first half on a 3-point field goal and a free throw.  After the intermission the Dons' senior went off, connecting on a trio of 3-point field goals in the third quarter and collecting two more buckets in the fourth as the Dons coasted to the win.
 
Joining Powell in double figures was Marta Galic (12 points), Veronica Preciado (13), Lucija Kostic (11) and Julia Nielacna (11).  Galic, Kostic and Nielanca were three of six Dons who made their USF debut in the contest.  Also playing their first official game on the Hilltop was Kia Vaalavirta, Marianna Klavina, and Abby Rathbun.
 
Nursing a 34-18 advantage at the intermission, the Dons dropped 29 points in the third period with the Spartans (0-2) chipped in 29 of their own in a frenetic third quarter.  In the fourth, the Dons added 22 more while holding the Spartans to 16.
 
SJSU was led by Analyss Benally's 14 points.  Benally got hot from beyond the arc in the second half connecting on four 3-point field goals.  Benally was joined by Raziya Potter and Cydni Lewis in double figures with 11 and 10 respectively.
 
The Dons are back in action Thursday, Nov. 15 when they travel down to Stanford, Calif., to take on the Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. The game is slated for a 7:00 p.m. tip.  USF returns home on Sunday, Nov. 15 when they host Cal Poly Pomona at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets for that game are available at Dons Ticket Central.