SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Back at home and hungry to keep their momentum rolling, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (5-0) pulled out another hard-fought victory on Thursday night as the Dons climbed back from a 16-point first half deficit to take down Nevada (1-3), 73-70, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Out of the gates, the two teams traded baskets to the begin the contest, but the Wolf Pack pulled in front at the 12:30 mark, 19-11, following a successful offensive stretch from center Will Baker.
• As a unit, Nevada continued to apply pressure as the first half played on as the Dons stayed within striking distance thanks to a scorching-hot performance from guard Gabe Stefanini. Draining back-to-back triples to close out the first twenty minutes of action, the Italian totaled five first half threes as USF trailed by just ten points at the halftime break, 46-36.
• Regrouping at intermission, the Dons opened the second half on a mission as USF used the strength of a 9-0 run to establish their first lead of the evening, 47-46, at the 17:21 mark.
• In what proved to be a back-and-forth affair, the two sides exchanged blows in the minutes to follow as the score was knotted at 62 following a jumper from Jamaree Bouyea at 8:07. Moments later, Bouyea and Stefanini drilled consecutive buckets to keep the Dons on top by five, but the Wolf Pack responded once again by pulling ahead on a layup from AJ Bramah with 1:38 remaining in regulation.
• Taping into his clutch gene, Bouyea would dance around a Nevada defender before pulling up from the top of the arc to sink the go-ahead triple that put USF in front, 72-70, with 33.3 seconds left on the game clock.
• Ultimately, Stefanini would convert on one of two free throws at the line in the closing seconds as the Dons got their final stop of the night on a missed three-pointer from Baker at the buzzer. Defending their home court for the fourth time so far this season, USF would hang on to secure their fifth consecutive victory, 73-70, to remain perfect on the young season. Notably, the Wolf Pack fell to 0-3 against the WCC so far this season, having previously fallen at home to San Diego and on the road at Santa Clara. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Erupting for a new season-high with 28 points, Stefanini was named the Player of the Game after finishing 10-of-17 overall from the floor, including a 5-of-12 mark from distance. Notably, the Italian also added 4 rebounds and 2 assists while sinking 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.
• Continuing his dominance, Bouyea logged his eleventh consecutive contest with double figures and his twelfth career 20+ point game against the Wolf pack as the Seaside native tallied 22 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
• Playing in a season-high 33 minutes, forward Yauhen Massalski finished in double figures for the third time this year as the big man flirted with a double-double by recording 10 points and 6 rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting from the field.
• Overall, the Dons are now the lone team in the country with wins over five different Division I programs following the victory on Thursday night.

UP NEXT:
USF will return to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center this upcoming Monday, Nov. 22 when the wrap up their home stand with a 6:00 pm showdown against Morgan State. Live streaming and live statistics of the matchup are available via the team's schedule page.
 
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For updates and more information on the USF men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on Twitter, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.