SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco men’s basketball team (7-2) once again takes care of business at home and remains perfect at the Hilltop this season as the Dons defeat Saint Louis (5-3) by 78 :61, at the War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on Thursday night.

In case you missed it:

• With neither team able to score in the first two-plus minutes of the contest, San Francisco scored back-to-back baskets courtesy of Malik Thomas And Carlton Linguard Jr. to take a 5-3 lead at 16:31.
• Saint Louis narrowly held off a Robbie Avila fastbreak layup at 15:20 and answered in the opening minutes, but the Dons countered with a 9-0 run capped by a layup from Junjie Wang At 12:23 p.m. it was 16:5 in favor of the green and gold.
• Just before halftime of the first half Marcus Williams hit a three-pointer to increase San Francisco’s lead to 12, 19-7.
• Over the next five minutes, the Dons maintained their double-digit lead as Williams converted another three-pointer at 4:54 and USF maintained the lead 30-17.
• After Williams’ three-pointer, Saint Louis closed the first half with flying colors as the Billikens went on a 12-3 run and were only four points behind (33-29) heading into the locker room at halftime.
• San Francisco came out of the break with momentum and began the second half with a lead as the Dons used a 26-4 run of their own to take a commanding 59-33 lead at the 12:26 mark.
• After a free throw from Ndewedo Newbury kept the Dons in the lead by 25 points (60-35), shortly afterwards Saint Louis didn’t go down without a fight in the last ten minutes of regular time.
• The Billikens started with a layup by Gibson Jamerson at 8:45, but went on a 13-2 run and threatened late when they trailed by 13 points, 64-51, with 5:03 left. However, this is the maximum Saint Louis would reach in the final minutes of the contest.
• He probably sank the biggest shot of the second half, Ryan Beasley ended the Billiken run with a three-pointer from the wing at 4:38, keeping San Francisco ahead by 16 points, 67-51. The Dons then used that energy to put the finishing touches on the game as the green and gold closed the night with a 78-61 victory over Saint Louis.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS:

• With a game-high 22 points, Thomas was named player of the game for the second consecutive year after shooting 9 of 14 from the field, 3 of 4 from distance and 1 of 2 from the free throw line. Additionally, the guard added a season-high six rebounds and a steal in 31 minutes.
• Alongside Thomas, Linguard Jr. finished the season with a season-high 15 points on 6 of 14 from the field, including three three-pointers. In total, the graduate transfer also added two rebounds, an assist and a block in 28 minutes.
• Williams impressed from the point guard position and also scored 15 points on 5 of 11 from the field, 3 of 5 from deep and 2 of 3 from the charity stripe. Notably, the third-year Don also added five assists, three rebounds and two steals in 34 minutes.
• As a team, San Francisco led Saint Louis in turnover points (18-13) and bench points (20-13), while the Dons were above 50 percent (50.8/30-) for the third straight game and fifth time this year. 59) scored this season. Overall, the USF team scored three points on Thursday evening, setting a season high.

AFTERMATH WITH THE DONS:

NEXT:

San Francisco will rest and recover over the next six days as the Dons will next face each other on Thursday, December 11th when they welcome Stanislaus State to the Hilltop for a 7:00 p.m. match. Live streaming, live stats, radio and ticket links will be available via the team’s schedule page.

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WERE:

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SPONSOR THE DONS:

The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to thank our sponsor – ABM – for their continued support of San Francisco Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at [email protected] or (415) 422-4561.