DENTON, Texas – The University of San Francisco men's basketball team went into the locker room trailing by two points, but a slow start in the second period on offense and costly turnovers led to a 10-0 run by North Texas to begin the second half. They would extend their lead and go on to win 69-55 in game two of the CBI finals forcing a third and final game on Friday.
USF (22-16) started the game slow on offense, missing their first three 3-point field goal attempts. Foul trouble early kept the Dons starters on the bench allowing the Mean Green (19-18) to take an 11-point lead with 8:05 left in the half.
The Dons defense picked up the intensity, holding UNT 0-for-11 from the field down the stretch. During that time, the Dons offensive picked up thanks to the hot shooting from
Remu Raitanen from beyond the arc. With 3:29 in the half the Dons tied the game at 31-31 on a jumper in the paint by
Jimbo Lull. That was as close as USF would get, UNT scored just before halftime and went on the run in the second.
For the game, USF committed 16 turnovers compared to three from North Texas. The Mean Green turned those 16 turnovers into 18 points. UNT also outrebounded the Dons, 43-31. The Mean Green turned 16 offensive rebounds into 15 second chance points.
Two players finished in double figures for USF and were led by
Souley Boum's game-high 16 points. Boum was 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3-point range.
Frankie Ferrari finished with 10 points and five assists on the night. Raitanen finished with nine going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.
GAME NOTES
- Nate Renfro scored his 500th career point when he threw down a two-hand dunk midway through the second half.
- The Dons now have five active players on the roster with 500 or more points (Chase Foster, Frankie Ferrari, Matt McCarthy, Jordan Ratinho and Foster.)
- Souley Boum moved up into third all-time by points in a single season by a freshman, he surpassed legendary Don Bill Cartwright who scored 375 points in 1975-76. Boum now has 388 points, he trails Quintin Dailey by five points for second all-time.
- With tonight's loss the Dons fall to 32-22 all-time in post season play. They are 4-3 in the CBI.
UP NEXT
The Dons will play a winner-take-all game three on Friday night in the Super Pit. The game is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start time and will be televised live on ESPNU.
