MORAGA, Calif. -- The USF Dons women's basketball team (10-10, 4-4) continued their mid-season surge in WCC action to claim their fourth straight victory on Thursday night taking down the Saint Mary's Gaels (9-8, 3-3) 70-56 at University Credit Union Pavilion. Throughout the Dons' latest surge the defense and timely shot making have been key components as USF has now won three straight conference games by double digits.

Jasmine Gayles continued her impressive run scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds off the bench, while Kennedy Dickie recorded her third straight double double with 12 points and 14 rebounds which matched her career high. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Both teams got off to skittish starts on offensively due to a couple early breaks in game action due to technical errors. USF ended the first 10 minutes of play with an 18-14 lead after a 12-2 lead late in the quarter to give the Dons the advantage.
• USF was still finding their footing throughout the early portions of the second quarter, but eventually settled into their rhythm on both ends holding the Gaels to only seven points in the quarter and outscoring them by 10 points to take a 35-21 advantage into halftime on the road. 
• Saint Mary's came out of halftime determined to cut into their deficit as they were able to lower it to seven before USF's offense got back in control and entered the final quarter of play with the nine point lead. 
• The Dons wasted little time in the fourth quarter putting the game away as their lead stretched throughout the final 10 minutes to give USF the comfortable 70-56 victory at University Credit Union Pavilion.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Gayles led both teams in scoring with her 22 off the bench including going 8-for-10 at the free throw along with two assists and zero turnovers.
• Dickie's marvelous run in the WCC continued on Thursday night as she was snatching everything off to glass matching her career-high of 14 rebounds as well as 12 points and two assists. 
• Ioanna Krimili was USF's second leading scorer with 16 points on 7-of-15 from the field to go along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
• Claudia Langarita had a very efficient performance off the bench scoring eight points on 3-of-4 shooting including a big three to extend the lead to double digits in the first half.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH GOODENBOUR:
"It's always great to get a road win in conference. I thought we had a strong team defensive effort. Fought off the third quarter run by Saint Mary's and had some solid performances from Jasmine, Io and Kennedy on the offensive end. Jess was a steady hand at the point guard position and did a great job of leading us as always. Amalie was brilliant defensively. I'm proud of the teams effort."

UP NEXT:
The Dons will now head east looking for revenge as they will take on the No. 16 BYU Cougars (17-1, 7-0) Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. PT in Provo. USF opened WCC play this season at home against the Cougars, as the visitors came away with the 76-64 victory on the Hilltop.

TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE:
Single-game tickets for West Coast Conference basketball games are currently on sale at www.usfdons.com/tickets. 

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 women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.