LAS VEGAS, Nev. – For the first time in 45 years, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team improved to 8-0 with a 63-61 victory over University of Alabama at Birmingham (5-2) on Friday night as the Dons were crowned champions of the 2021 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.
 
With the win, USF has reached their best start since 1976-77, when the Dons began 26-0 under head coach Bob Galliard. That season, USF finished 29-2 overall, which included a win over No. 15 Tennessee, and reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament while also finishing No. 8 in the final AP poll.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• With both teams unable to find much momentum offensively out of the gates, the Dons got on the board at the 14:41 on a nifty post move from forward Yauhen Massalski, who blew by the Blazer defender to throw down a two-handed jam.
• Just a few minutes later, USF took their first lead of the night, 9-6, on a three-pointer from Gabe Stefanini, who knocked down the triple off of a beautiful feed from Patrick Tapé at the 10:47 mark.
• Keeping their foot on the gas, Khalil Shabazz found his rhythm from deep as the half continued on as the Seattle native nailed back-to-back threes to put the Dons on by ten, 22-12.
• Locking down on defense in the moments to follow, USF would allow a season-low 20 points in the first half as the Dons held a double-digit advantage, 31-20, at intermission.
• Fighting hard out of the locker room, UAB trimmed their deficit to four to begin the second half, but another three from Stefanini at the 18:09 mark kept USF on top by seven, 34-27.
• With just over eleven minutes remaining in regulation, the Blazers continued to apply pressure by coming within one point, 43-42, following a jumper from Quan Jackson. Tying the game just a few plays later, UAB tested USF on both ends of the ball midway through the second half, but the Dons ultimately responded with a 12-4 run to pull back in front for good.
• Down the stretch, the Blazers did not go down easy as USF was forced to convert from the charity stripe to secure the victory. Sinking three of four from the line in the final ten seconds of play, the Dons found the stops they needed defensively as they hung on to secure the 63-61 and the 2021 Las Vegas Invitational title.  

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Posting his first double-double as a Don, Yauhen Massalski was named the Player of the Game after finishing with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds. Shooting 10-of-15 from the field overall, Massalski also added one block in the win.
• Coming up clutch when it mattered most, Shabazz finished with his fifth double figure performance of the season on Friday night, tallying 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Notably, Shabazz also nailed at least three field goals from beyond-the-arc for the third time this season.
• Impressively, the Dons shot 50.0 percent (9-18) from deep against the Blazers while also limiting UAB to 21.4 percent (3-14) from distance. Overall, USF shot 45.7 percent (21-46) from the field while holding the Blazers to 38.3 percent (23-60).

POSTGAME:

• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Todd Golden, please click here.

UP NEXT:
USF will use the next week to prepare for their contest against UNLV as the Dons are set to return to the hardwood next Saturday, Dec. 4 when they host the Runnin' Rebels at 7:00 pm. Live streaming, radio and live statistics links will be available via the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
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.