Goedenamiddag!
 
The #EuroDons closed out their last the full day in Belgium on Tuesday by posting a 83-58 victory over KBBC Oostkamp at Valkaart Hall, located 45 minutes from the team hotel in Ghent.

The Dons led virtually wire-to-wire en route to a 25-point victory over the second division club team. Freshman Charles Minlend scored a team high 15 points, sophomore Matt McCarthy added 12 while Frankie Ferrari chipped in with 11 to lead the Dons to their third consecutive victory in as many days. 
 
McCarthy got the Dons off to a fast start with six first quarter points which helped the Dons open a 23-14 lead after the first 10 minutes. Ferrari scored 10 of his 11 points in the second period while Minlend added eight as the Dons built a 51-32 lead at intermission. The Dons led by 30 points at 74-44 at the end of the third quarter before eventually posting the 83-58 victory.
 
Well before the game while the Bay Area slept, the #EuroDons were treated to a walking tour of the charming city of Ghent which began at 10:00 a.m. in the team hotel located along the bank of the Leie River, a waterway which flows to the French region of Pas de Calais.
 
The tour was conducted by scholarly Theo Sterck, a native of the beach town of Ostend, whose booming voice, slightly ruffled features and detailed descriptions of the many sights of this medieval city conjured memories of an authoritative but lovable history teacher who had a tendency to get a little long winded on occasion. But Sterck, who claimed he sharpened his English by watching shows like Dynasty and Baywatch, did a masterful job in presenting the information in a thorough manner, leaving room for a nugget here and there not found in any history books.
 
To spend a day in Ghent is like taking a step way back in time. Unlike Dusseldorf, the city was unscathed by the wraths of World War II and many of the buildings maintain their 12-15th century facades. Pleasant wafts of decadent chocolate did not go unnoticed among the 30 or so in USF's touring party, which included hall of famer Valerie Gillon, a native of Spa, Belgium who was enjoying her first ever trip to Ghent.
 
Highlights of the tour included stops in St. Nicholas' Church, located in the center of Ghent which dates back to the 13th century; St, Michael's Church, built in the a late Gothic style and run largely by the elitist brewers of the region who left their own mark on Belgium culture; the Belfry of Ghent; and the massive Saint Bavo Cathedral, home to the painting, "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb," a 15th century work by the van Eyck brothers which was further brought into public light in the movie Monument Men featuring George Clooney, Sterck gave an astute and disturbing historical account of the work he calls "one of the 10 most famous paintings in the world." The Dons will see the grand dame of all paintings this weekend in Paris, when the team visits the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa.
 
Sterck pointed out that of the some 52 churches in Ghent, only 8-10 are considered active, mostly due to the cost of government maintenance. The churches are of Gothic, Roman and Renaissance style (Ghent has been around awhile) and are mostly Catholic. The magnificent stained glass windows told the story of the bible to the many of the townspeople who could not read themselves.
 
Sterck clarified any confusion over Belgian waffles, which are light and airy and are not be confused with the American version which are topped off with strawberrys, maple syrup and whipped cream. "I had a Belgian waffle once in America and a piece fell off my plate an hit my toe. I thought it was broken."
 
He also attributed Belgians lower center of gravity on "great beer, great chocolates and waffles" and pointed out you have to dig up some extra Euros for the best Belgian chocolates, which are made with natural fats as opposed to animal fats. Any local will be more than happy to guide you to their favorite chocolate shop.
 
The group also learned why pink elephants adorn bottles of Delirium beer, simply because "if you drink too many you'll see pink elephants" and why some hotels have one swan decoration on the door while others have two. We'll let Mr. Sterck fill you in on that one when you make your first visit to Ghent.
 
The Dons will board their bus for Paris at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning and should arrive in the City of Lights sometime around 3:00 p.m. The Dons will enjoy a day and a half in Paris before playing their last game on their European tour on Friday night against a select team.
 
Doei-doei Ghent! Onto Paris.