SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- In their final home non-conference game of the season, the USF Dons women's basketball team (3-1) defeated the Northern Colorado Bears (1-3) 70-59 Sunday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

Upperclassmen Abby Rathbun and Lucija Kostic both shined for USF as the Dons used a big second quarter and efficient shooting to begin the season a perfect 3-0 in their home gym. Kostic was tremendous by doing a little bit of everything including scoring six points, dishing eight assists to go along with three steals and rebounds. Rathbun reached double figures in scoring for the first time this season with 11 points and five steals against the Bears.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Both teams came out scoring to begin the game as the first quarter ended in a 20-all tie.
• USF flexed their muscles during the second quarter by racing out to a seven-point lead heading into the halftime break.
• The Dons pushed their lead to double digits in the second half and never let Northern Colorado reduce the deficit to more than seven points for the rest of the game.
• The Bears attempted to get the game closer in the fourth quarter but their comeback attempts were haltered by the stingy and opportunistic USF defense that forced 21 turnovers and secured 15 steals as a team. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Kostic was instrumental in the victory with her on-target passes leading to eight assists while scoring six points and gathering three rebounds and steals in the win.
• Rathbun put together her best performance of the season so-far scoring 11 points and doing the dirty work on defense by forcing five steals on Sunday afternoon.
• Ioanna Krimili scored a team-high 14 points while also securing five rebounds.
• Former Northern Colorado Bear Jasmine Gayles had a nice performance off the bench against her former team, as she scored 11 points and secured two rebounds along with a 5-for-10 shooting performance.
• Amalie Langer continued to provide great minutes for USF as she scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting and once again proved to be a thorn in the side for opposing offenses by picking up five steals in the win. 

CATCHING UP WITH COACH GOODENBOUR:
"It was great to have another win on our home court. This was a good team effort versus a scrappy and well-coached Northern Colorado team. I thought we moved the ball really well at times and got some clean looks at the basket. Our defense was able to force some turnovers which allowed us to get some points in transition. We are looking forward to three days of great competition in Reno."

UP NEXT:
The Dons will be spending Thanksgiving weekend in Reno, Nev. for the 2021 Nugget Classic hosted by the University of Nevada Reno. USF will begin their three games in three days challenge with a matchup against the Idaho Vandals on Friday afternoon, followed by matchup with the Drake Bulldogs and Nevada Wolfpack to end the weekend.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.