LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Giving it all they had until the final buzzer, the University of San Francisco men's basketball team (20-14, 7-9 WCC) battled throughout every possession on Monday night, but the Dons ultimately fell to No. 9/8 Gonzaga (27-5, 14-2 WCC), 84-73, in the semifinal round of the 2023 University Credit Union West Coast Conference Tournament at Orleans Arena.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Finding their rhythm early, Gonzaga raced out to an early 12-2 lead through the first 3:45 of the contest.
• Although the Bulldogs would extend their advantage to fifteen, 25-10, at the 12:44 mark, USF responded by whittling their deficit with each possession thereafter. With just under ten minutes to play, a three-pointer from Khalil Shabazz cut GU's lead to single digits, 27-18.
• Fighting back with each basket, the Dons continued to work at the deficit, with USF closing their gap to five points, 40-35, to close the first half. After the first 20 minutes of play, USF held an eight eight-point lead, 43-35.
• Coming out of the locker room, Gonzaga would stretch their lead to twelve, 49-37, following a fastbreak layup from Anton Watson at 18:11, but the Dons would climb back again. In the minutes to follow, USF used an 11-3 run to come within four, 52-48, after a jumper from Ndewedo Newbury at 14:16.
• Nearing the midway point of the second half, a three-pointer from Marcus Williams borough USF as close as they would come, 56-54, as the green and gold tested the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. 
• Staying within striking distance as the game moved along, another triple from Shabazz with 6:37 remaining in regulation kept USF hanging around, 67-62.
• Unfortunately, Gonzaga leaned on their experience down the stretch to ultimately pull away from the Dons. Extending their advantage back to double digits to close out the contest, GU went on to secure the victory and advance to their 26^th straight WCC Tournament championship game with an 84-73 win.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Leaving it all on the hardwood, Shabazz finished with 26 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 38 minutes on the floor. Notably, the USF legend closed out his career on the Hilltop with his 16^th 20+ point performance of the season, including his sixth game with five or more made three's.
• Wrapping up his collegiate career alongside Shabazz, Tyrell Roberts finished with 17 points, four assist three rebounds and one steal as he played all 40 minutes of action. 
• Additionally, Marcus Williams flirted with a double-double by tallying 11 points and seven rebounds to go along with three assists in 35 total minutes.
• As a team, USF lead Gonzaga in points off turnovers (10-6), fast break points (6-4) and bench points (19-18).

POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view the full postgame with head coach Chris Gerlufsen, Tyrell Roberts and Khalil Shabazz, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will await their postseason fate as the Dons are eager to continue their season moving forward. Selection Sunday is set for Sunday, Mar. 12 with the NCAA Tournament and multiple other postseason tournaments announcing their brackets on or around that day.
 
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 THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge our department sponsor – Corona - 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.