Box Score SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Handling business to close out their homestand, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (3-0) took down UC Merced (3-3), 88-71, behind four Dons in double figures on Sunday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
With the win, USF improved to 3-0 for the second consecutive year as the Dons pushed their streak to 13 straight non-conference victories at home.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Catching fire to begin the game, USF jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on back-to-back three pointers from Josh Kunen and Khalil Shabazz.
- Answering back in the minutes to follow, UC Merced came within one point, 10-9, of the Dons, but USF had an answer of their own as well. As the midway point of the half approached, the green and gold erupted for an 8-0 run, five of which came from Shabazz.
- Finding their groove as the half played on, the Dons pushed their advantage to double digits, which included a lead as high as 16, 43-27, following a layup by Zane Meeks at the 2:26 mark.
- Riding their momentum into the locker room, USF maintained control over the Bobcats at halftime, 48-35.
- Continuing their offensive onslaught out of the break, Kunen extended the gap to 20, 58-38, on another triple at the 16:45 mark in the second half.
- Down the stretch, UC Merced would not get closer than twelve points as USF kept their foot on the gas pedal to hold a twenty-two point lead, 74-52, after a Marcus Williams free throw at 10:34.
- Leaving no doubt, the Dons cruised to a seventeen point victory, 88-71, behind four Dons finishing in double figures to remain perfect at 3-0.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Increasing his point total with each game so far this season, Shabazz poured in a game-high 21 points on 6-of-11 from the floor and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Overall, the guard also added four assists, four steals and three rebounds in 32 minutes played.
- Enjoying a career day, Volodymyr Markovetskyy tallied a new career-high with 20 points on 8-of-9 from the field. Providing a spark off the bench, the 7'2" center also tallied four rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes.
- As a team, USF dominated the Bobcats in the paint (44-28) while also scoring 26 points off of 18 forced turnovers. Offensively, Shabazz (21), Markovetskyy (20), Kunen (10) and Tyrell Roberts (10) all tallied at least ten points.
POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:
UP NEXT:
USF will embark on their first road trip of the season this upcoming week when they travel to the Central Valley for a showdown at Fresno State on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Tip off from the Save Mart Center in Fresno is scheduled for 7:00 pm as the game will air live on the Mountain West Network. Live streaming, live statistics and radio links are 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.
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at
www.usfdons.com/shop.
SPONSOR US:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact
Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.
