DUSSELDORF, Germany – For an exhibition game close to 6,000 miles away from home in the beginning of August under a new head coach, USF received two thumbs up today after its 84-74 victory over the Artland Dragons in Dusseldorf.
 
The game, the first of four contests for the Dons on their 10-day European tour through Germany, Belgium and France, provided new head coach Kyle Smith an opportunity to see his team under game conditions for the first time and there were many positive takeaways for a young team with 10 newcomers that needs to replace over 70 percent of its scoring production from a year ago.
 
Four Dons scored in double figures, led by junior Chase Foster and freshman Charles Minlend, who scored 15 points apiece. Frankie Ferrari and Jimbo Lull each added 13 to pace USF to the 10-point victory over the host Dragons.
 
Freshman Jordan Ratinho finished with eight points and Ronnie Boyce chipped in with seven.
 
The Dons fell behind 10-0 out of the gates but managed to cut the lead to 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. USF took its first lead of the game when Foster drilled a three-pointer with 8:30 left in the second period, giving the Dons a 19-17 lead. With Artland holding a 24-23 lead midway through the second period, Lull's short-range jumper gave the Dons a 25-24 lead which would grow to 40-33 at intermission.
 
Lull, a 7-0 foot freshman from Manhattan Beach via the New Hampton (N.H.) School, scored nine of his 13 points in the second quarter when the Dons outscored Artland, 26-16 to take control of the game.
 
Minlend scored nine of his 15 points in the third quarter on a pair of three-pointers and a three-point play after drawing a foul underneath the basket. He added four more in the fourth quarter as the Dons grew their lead to as many as 13 points before winning by the final score of 84-74.
 
All in all, Smith was pleased with what he saw today from his squad, which is searching for an identity after losing all five starters from last year's team.
 
"There was some nervousness in the beginning but I thought we regrouped really well and had a pretty consistent effort for 40 minutes," said Smith. "I thought some of our young guys, especially Jimbo, Jordan and Charles, played very well for their first time in live action. We had a lot of positives today."
 
"Charles finds a way to make baskets. He's a great athlete and a natural scorer who plays with a lot of confidence."
 
Twelve of Foster's 15 points came in the second and fourth quarters when the Dons pulled away from the Dragons.
 
"Chase was very steady for us today. He's a well-rounded player and we really need his experience going forward."
 
The Dons will play their second game on their European trip on Monday evening in Ghent, Belgium, where USF will meet the Ghent Hawks at 7:30 p.m. USF will also be in action on Tuesday night when the Dons face KBBC Ooostkamp at De Valkaart Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.