STOCKTON, Calif. – A torrid first half and stingy defense in crucial situations down the stretch gave the University of San Francisco men's basketball team a convincing 79-75 road win over host Pacific.  For the second consecutive game the Dons handed a 14-win team their first conference loss of the season.
 
USF (13-6/2-2 WCC) shot 50.9 percent from the field going 27-for-53 from the field – including 10-for-21 from beyond the arc. The Dons improve to 9-0 on the year when they make at least 10 3-point field goals. 
 
Charles Minlend was one of five players in double figures – he finished with 19 going 5-for-8 from the field, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.  Joining Minlend in double figures was Jimbo Lull (13), Dzmitry Ryuny (12), Jordan Ratinho (11), and Josh Kunen (10).  Ryuny gave the Dons a huge spark going 3-for-3 from long range.
 
Pacific (14-5/2-1 WCC) had three in double figures and was led by Jahbril Price-Noel's game-high 20.  Khalil Tripp added 19 and Gary Chivichyan added 10.  The Tigers shot 45.9 percent from the field and were particularly strong in the paint where they scored 36 of their 75 points.   
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Dons bench got into the action early and often – Ryuny came off the bench and made his first three 3-point field goals – the third gave the Dons' their largest lead of the game up 26-17 with 7:16 in the first.
 
• The opening half ended with Remu Raitanen hitting a triple as the game clock expired – all nine players who saw action in the opening half scored.  The Dons were on fire from long range going 8-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first period.  Overall, USF shot 65.4 percent from the field going 17-for-26.
 
• Despite Pacific's 12 second chance points in the opening period, the Dons went into the locker room leading 48-34.  The 48 points is the third most scored by USF this season, trailing the 49 scored in the wins over Sonoma State and Sam Houston State.
 
• With 15:28 in the second half Ratinho drove to the hoop for a layup to give the Dons a 21-point lead – their largest of the night.  From there the Tigers whittled it down slowly over the remainder of the contest.  UOP brought the deficit to less than 10 when Tripp was fouled on a dunk for a 3-point play with 4:04 in the contest. 
 
• In the second half, the Dons were held to just 10 field goals going 10-for-27.  Tripp led the second half surge by the Tigers scoring 12 of his 19 after the intermission. 
 
NOTABLE NUMBERS
• The Dons went into the locker room leading 48-34 - the 48 first half points are third most by the Dons this season behind the 49 scored in wins over Sonoma State and Sam Houston State.  The Dons are 7-0 when scoring 40 in the first half.
• USF improves to 13-1 when leading at the half.
• Jordan Ratinho went 2-for-4 from 3-point range – the two made threes gives him 236 for his career which ties him with Ali Thomas for most made threes in a career in USF history.
• The Dons improve to 10-1 this season when scoring 79 or more points.  The 79 points scored is the second most USF has scored on the road this year, second to the 91 scored at Cal State Fullerton.
 
NEXT UP
The Dons will return to action next Saturday when they host Loyola Marymount at 1:00 p.m.  Saturday's contest will be televised on NBC Sports Bay Area and will be the first of a twin-billing with the women hosting Gonzaga later that day.  Saturday's twin-billing will be the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight.