The University of San Francisco men's basketball travels to Southern California to take on Loyola Marymount on tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Sunday's game will be streamed on the WCC Network with Jesse Kass and Jonathan Grace calling the action courtside.  Pat Olson will have the call on the home of USF Dons Basketball, KNBR 1050-AM.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Jan. 10, 2021 – 4:00 p.m.    
Opponent: Loyola Marymount Lions (6-3, 0-0 WCC)
Site: Gersten Pavilion
TV:  WCC Network
Talent: Jesse Kass (play-by-play) and Jonathan Grace (analyst)
Radio:  KNBR 1050-AM
Talent: Pat Olson (play-by-play)
Live Stats: LMULions.com


USF AT A GLANCE
• After trailing by two at the break, the Dons blasted the Pilots at home thanks to an 18-2 run to begin the second half.  USF had a season-high 10 blocks in the win over Portland to improve to 8-5 on the year and 2-1 in the WCC. USF was 15-for-40 from beyond the arc.
 
• 14 to play 13: Knock on wood - the Dons are one of just 14 teams who have played 13 or more games.  As of yesterday, they are the only team on the West Coast who has played that many games.  North Carolina A&T, Liberty, Oakland have played 14.
 
• Schedule Change: The Dons and Lions were supposed to play on Saturday, but the game was pushed a day to help the Lions who have been idle since Dec. 19. USF has played on Sunday three times this season and is 1-2.
 
• Bombs Away:  In the Dons win over the Pilots on Thursday, USF connected on 15 of 40 attempts from long distance.  It is the ninth time this season they have made 10 or more 3-point field goals in a contest. USF is 7-2 in games in which they make 10 or more and 19-2 in the Golden Era. The two losses - vs. Rhode Island and at California. 
 
• Block Party: USF had a season-high 10 blocks in the win over the Pilots - USF improves to 6-1 when they record at least three blocked shots.  The lone loss - at Oregon.
 
• Following a Loss:  With the win over Portland on Thursday the Dons improved to 4-1 following a loss this season.  The Dons average 76.8 points per game in those contests and shoot 44.3 percent from the field.  Khalil Shabazz is a big spark plug for USF in games following a loss, he averages a team-best 15.8 points per contest.  The Dons lone loss after a loss was against Oregon when they dropped back-to-back Pac-12 dates.
 
Series Versus Loyola Marymount
The Dons and Lions is one of USF's oldest rivals, dating back to 1924 when the Dons were known as The Grey Fog and the University was called St. Ignatius. Sunday's contest marks the 163rd time the two teams have squared off with the Dons owning a 116-46 advantage in the series. At LMU the Dons are 50-24 all-time. The series is also known for trading points - of the 83 times the Dons have scored 100 points in a game, they have done it 15 times against LMU. On Feb. 4, 1990 the two sides combined to score 272 points - the most combined points scored in a game in USF history.  The 157 points USF surrendered that day are the most they have allowed in program history - however, the eight points allowed by the Dons in the first ever match up are also the fewest. Last season, the Dons took all three matchups against the Lions, including an 82-53 win at the Orleans Arena in the West Coast Conference Tournament.
 
About the Lions
The Lions have been idle since Dec. 19, 2020 due to COVID.  Year one in the Stan Johnson era is off to a strong start with the Lions owning a 5-3 mark.  At Gersten Pavilion LMU is a tough out, with a perfect 5-0 record. As a team, they are averaging 71.6 points per contest while shooting .437 from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 68.0 points per contest and shooting .419 percent from the field.  Back for the Lions is all-conference point/forward Eli Scott who is averaging 13.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.  Joining him in double figures is sophomore guard/forward Dameane Douglas who is averaging 14.0 ppg and 7.1 rebounds per game. 
 
Last Time Out Versus Loyola Marymount
No. 5-seeded Dons turned in not only its first true complete game effort against a conference opponent this season in the 82-53 win, but got contributions from up and down the bench. Led by Charles Minlend's superlative performance and Bouyea's emotional return, USF exorcised its early tournament exit from a year ago.
 
"We did what we came here to do," Minlend said. "As a unit, together, we just dominated. It was fun to see."
 
NEXT UP
The Dons will travel to the Rose City to take on the Portland Pilots to wrap up their two-game schedule against the Pilots.  Thursday's game will tip off at 5:00 p.m. and will be streamed on the WCC Network. Pat Olson will have the call on the home of USF Dons Basketball, KNBR 105-AM.