SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco women's basketball team scored 34 points in the opening quarter. That was just the first of several single-game records that went down tonight as the Dons blasted Sacramento State 108-82 on Tuesday at the Nest. In all, USF set six single game records on the evening.
 
USF (4-2) extends its winning streak to four-games after scoring a program-record 108 points.  It is the second time this season, and sixth time overall the Dons have scored 100 points.  The previous record for points in a game was 105 set against UC Riverside on Nov. 19, 2000.  USF's 34 points in the first period are the most points scored in a single quarter and just the fifth time since women's basketball transitioned to quarters that the Dons have scored 30 or more.
 
"I thought this was a good game for us to schedule because sitting on a bus for a couple of hours and then trying to get out to play will be something that we will have to deal with moving forward," said head coach Molly Goodenbour. "We talked about being focused and following a game plan and I thought we did that tonight, especially in the first quarter. Offensively that first quarter we did some really, really good things. We made some good cuts we moved the ball well, I thought we defended really well that first quarter and got a lot of easy transition baskets and set a really good tone."  
 
The Dons shot a blistering 63.0 percent from the field going 46-for-73. The 46 field goals tops the previous best of 45 set against Nevada on Nov. 19, 1983. USF had five players in double figures and were led by Abby Rathbun's career-high of 22.  Rathbun was 10-for-13 from the field and 2-for-3 from desistance.  She also had six rebounds.
 
Joining her in double figures was Julia Nielacna who had 20 off the bench, Lucie Hoskova had 19, Ioanna Krimili had her first career double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 assists. She was just four rebounds shy of a triple-double, finishing with six on the evening. Amalie Langer had 12 points. Lucija Kostic had a tremendous outing, with a game-high eight rebounds and nine assists along with game-high five blocks.
 
"Shout out to Abby, she did a really good job of getting herself into a scoring position," said Goodenbour talking about Rathbun's career-night. "She did a great job of continuing to keep moving and her teammates were really unselfish. Julia did a good job knocking down threes. It was a fun game because everyone was scoring points, it was a good way to end before Christmas."
 
USF finished the game with 36 assists on the 46 field goals.  The 36 assists is also a new program record, besting the previous high of 34 set against UC Riverside on Dec. 5, 1980. 
 
Sacramento State (0-5) overcame a sluggish first quarter to finish with a season-best 82 points.  They had four players finish in double figures led by Jessica Rios' 17. Jordan Olivares had 16, Jazmin Carrasco had 13, and Summer Menke chipped in 10.
 
The opening quarter was all USF. A 14-3 run midway through the first quarter gave the Dons a comfortable lead that they would not relinquish. USF registered seven blocks – tying a season-high, which helped set the tone. They finished with 14 blocks on the evening which is believed to be a single-game record.  USF shot 67 percent in the opening quarter and outscored the Hornets 22-6 in the paint. Rathbun was a perfect 4-for-4 in the frame.
 
In the second and third quarter, USF's defense slowed the pace.  The Hornets outscored the Dons 52-50 during that stretch. USF never show below 52.0 percent from the field however. For the game, Sacramento State shot 36.0 percent from the field going 27-for-75.  USF did a tremendous job on the glass, outrebounding the Hornets 44-34.  
 
"In the second and third quarter I thought we didn't defend as well – Sacramento State plays a very frenzied pace, playing a really up tempo game. When they make their shots, they are really thought to beat, I thought we did a good job converting on offense. Which didn't allow them to come back in it," said Goodenbour.
 
In the final period the Dons kept their foot on the gas, even while unloading the bench.  For the second game every Don who suited up saw action with nine different players scoring.
 
USF will return to action on Monday, Dec. 28 when they begin West Coast Conference play. The Dons will travel to Provo, Utah to take on the Cougars at the Marriott Center.  That game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. PT tip off.  It will be televised on BYUtv.  George Devine will have the call on the Dons Audio Network.