SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Playing in their final nonconference contest of the regular season, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (13-1, 0-0) closed out the calendar year with an offensive explosion as the Dons cruised past Academy of Art (8-4, 4-0), 111-78, on Tuesday evening at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Hitting their stride offensively out of the gates, the Dons scored the first 13 points of the ballgame to begin the evening as USF raced out to an early lead on the strength of three-pointers from Jamaree Bouyea, Gabe Stefanini and Khalil Shabazz.
• As the action transpired, Academy of Art hung around despite the strong start from USF as the Urban Knights trimmed their deficit to single digits, 28-20, following free throws from Deang Deang at the 10:23 mark in the first half. However, the Dons responded with an 18-4 run to push their advantage back to double digits as two free throws from Bouyea at 4:51 kept USF on top, 46-24.
• Heading into the locker room, USF enjoyed a fourteen-point halftime lead, 55-41. Notably, these 55 points marked the most points scored in a half by the Dons so far this season.
• Coming out of the break, another triple from Shabazz at 15:31 in the second half gave USF a 24-point advantage, 70-46, as the Dons continued to pour it on from distance.
• With 3:23 remaining in regulation, redshirt freshman Justin Bieker came off the bench and nailed his first career three-pointer in style as the Portland native helped USF set a new single game program record with the team's 20^thmade three of the night.
• Holding on to defend their home court against their crosstown rival, USF would cruise to a 33-point victory, 111-78, to remain a perfect 9-0 at home so far this season. Overall, USF's 13-1 record in nonconference play also marks the Dons best nonconference finish since USF won their first 26 games in 1976-77. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Hitting his groove from beyond-the-arc, Khalil Shabazz was tabbed the Player of the Game after finishing with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals on 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-8 from distance. Impressively, Tuesday marked the second time in the last three games and the third time this season in which he has made 4+ threes.
• Alongside Shabazz, Bouyea also poured in 18 points on an efficient 5-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-5 from downtown. In just 20 minutes played, the Seaside native added 6 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. For Bouyea, the fifth year Don has now knocked down at least four threes in five separate contests this season.
• Posting a season-high 111 points as a team, twelve different student-athletes scored for the Dons in the win, including the first points of the season for Bieker and Jonas Visser. In total, Shabazz (18 points), Bouyea (18 points), Gabe Stefanini (17 points), Yauhen Massalski (12 points) and Julian Rishwain (12 points) all finished in double figures.
• Notably, Tuesday marked the first time five or more Dons have finished in double figures since Bouyea, Shabazz, Josh Kunen, Jimbo Lull and Jordan Ratinho all scored 10+ points in an 81-65 win over Portland on Feb. 27, 2020. Additionally, USF's 111 points are the team's most in a game since a 107-62 win at Cal Poly on Dec. 4, 2020. 

POSTGAME:

• To view the full highlights of tonight's contest, please click here. 
• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Todd Golden, please click here. 
• To view the full postgame interview with forward Patrick Tapé, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will begin West Coast Conference play this Saturday, January 1 when the Dons make the trip across the Bay Bridge for a showdown with the Saint Mary's Gaels. Tip-off from University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga is set for 5:00 pm on New Year's Day as live streaming, live statistics and radio links are available via the team's schedule page.
 
TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE:
Single-game tickets for non-conference basketball games are currently on sale at www.usfdons.com/tickets. Tickets for West Coast Conference opponents are now also on sale and can be purchased here.
 
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.
 
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.