MALIBU/MORAGA Calif. – Back on the road after two straight at home, the University of San Francisco women's basketball team (10-12, 7-6 WCC) looks to bounce back against Pepperdine (8-13, 3-9 WCC) at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, at Firestone Fieldhouse, before facing Saint Mary's (11-10, 7-5 WCC) at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at University Credit Union Pavilion.
 
GAME 23 DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Opponent: Pepperdine
Location: Firestone Fieldhouse / Malibu, Calif. 
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

GAME 24 DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Opponent: Saint Mary's
Location: University Credit Union Pavilion / Moraga, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

DONS AT A GLANCE:

• San Francisco enters Thursday's contest in a tie for fifth place after dropping a narrow 59-50 decision to Santa Clara last Saturday on the Hilltop. 
• Freja Werth led all Dons with 18 points, while Luana Leite and Elle Papahronis contributed nine and eight points, respectively. 
• Last week, Emma Trawally Porta delivered a strong performance against LMU, leading the team with 16 points while going a perfect five-for-five from the free-throw line.
• Overall, San Francisco excelled at the charity stripe throughout the contest, posting a season-high 93.3 percent, converting 14 of 15 attempts.
• Angeliki Ziaka posted a season-best performance on the glass, grabbing six rebounds against the Lions. Papahronis followed and dominated the boards against the Broncos, recording a career-high nine rebounds. The Dons remain one of the WCC's best rebounding teams, ranking first at 39.4 rebounds per game.  

SCOUTING THE WAVES:

• Pepperdine has dropped its last two road games, falling 63-54 in a hard-fought battle against Oregon State before struggling to find rhythm in a 76-52 loss to Portland last week. 
• Ornela Muca led the Waves in scoring against the Beavers, posting 15 points while knocking down two of her four attempts from the three-point line. Malia Mastora finished with 12 points, converting three of her four shots from beyond the arc. 
• Chloe Sotell, the Waves' leading scorer as a freshman, averages 10.3 points per game while ranking first in made three-pointers with 43. In conference play, Sotell ranks tied fourth for three-point field goals per game, with 1.8. 

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Saint Mary's is on a three-game losing streak and is coming off an 80-45 loss at Oregon State last Saturday. The Gaels are currently in sole possession of fourth place in the WCC standings at 7-5 and face off against Gonzaga on Thursday, looking to create some separation. 
• Kennedy Johnson has emerged as the Gael's leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game. In the overtime 74-67 loss to Santa Clara on Saturday, Jan. 25, she notched her first double-double of the season and the second of her career with 14 points and 12 rebounds. 
• Maia Jones has been a key contributor for the Gaels, scoring in double figures in three of her last four games. Notably, she recorded back-to-back 23-point performances against San Diego and Santa Clara. 
• The Gaels continue to hold their ground defensively, ranking fourth in the WCC for points allowed (64.6). 

SERIES HISTORY:

• Thursday night marks the 91st meeting between San Francisco and Pepperdine, with the Dons leading the all-time series 48-42. In their most recent matchup on January 4, 2025, the green and gold secured a 76-60 victory on the Hilltop. 
• Saint Mary's holds the advantage over San Francisco in their all-time series with a 48-34 record, but the Dons have had the upper hand in recent matchups. The green and gold have won four straight over the Gaels, with the last coming on January 2, 2025, in an 87-73 victory at home. 

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco women's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsWBB on Twitter, @USFDonsWBB on Instagram and @USFDonsWBB on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
SPONSOR US:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor – Twenty Five Ventures - 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.