STOCKTON, Calif. -- Using a strong team effort and clutch play in the final moments, the USF Dons women's basketball team (13-12, 7-6) defeated the Pacific Tigers (5-17, 2-9) 77-70 on Thursday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.

Both teams had strong moments throughout the game that was decided in the final moments thanks in part to a 7-0 Dons run in the final minute that helped secure the victory on the road. Claudia Langarita set a new career high with 23 points in the win, while Ioanna Krimili put in 23 points of her own.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The first quarter was a closely fought battle with each side trying to feel out the other with the Dons taking the 17-15 lead after 10 minutes of game action.
• USF flexed their offensive muscles before heading into the locker room as they knocked down six three-point shots ans scored 22 in the quarter as they entered the break with a 39-28 advantage. 
• Pacific responded out of the half by cutting into the Dons' lead while USF was able to head into the fourth quarter with the 55-49 lead.
• UOP came all the way back to take the lead a couple times in the fourth quarter, but the Dons clutched up enough to leave Stockton with the 77-70 conference road win. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Langarita had a fantastic offensive performance off the bench as she scored a new career-high with 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists in the win over the Tigers.
• Ioanna Krimili had a big scoring night as well, going for 23 points along with six rebounds and four assists on Thursday night.
• Kia Vaalavirta played a huge role in the victory off the bench, as she played 26 great minutes scoring seven points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing two assists while playing tremendous defense and finishing with a game high +10.
• Jessica McDowell-White had a fantastic 14 points, three assists and three rebounds while shooting 4-for-6 from three point range in the win over Pacific.

CATCHING UP WITH COACH GOODENBOUR:
"I'm proud of our team's effort tonight and happy to get a win on the road. Pacific got some momentum and took the lead and I'm really pleased with how we responded and were able to get some stops and make clutch baskets and free throws to secure the win. Kia stepped in and provided really solid play for us and Io and Claudia scored some big buckets."

UP NEXT:
The Dons now return home for a Saturday afternoon meeting with the Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-5, 10-1) for the second time this week as the two teams play at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center at 2:00 p.m. The Bulldogs are fresh off a 72-55 road victory over the Santa Clara Broncos on Thursday evening. 

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.