Game Highlights and Post-Game Comments

SAN FRANCISCO – USF finally got a chance to celebrate the New Year as the Dons snapped out of their shooting doldrums to turn back the Pacific Tigers, 72-51 Saturday night at the Sobrato Center.
 
The win snaps USF's four-game losing streak and improves the Dons' record to 12-8 overall and 2-4 in the West Coast Conference. The Tigers drop to 8-11 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
 
USF, which came into the game shooting just 27 percent from distance over the last seven games, regained its early season form from beyond the three-point line, nailing 14-of-34 three-point attempts, including 10 in the first half as the Dons opened up a 43-18 lead at intermission.
 
The Dons shot 51.9 percent from the field on the night, marking the ninth time this season USF shot 50 percent or better from the floor.
 
Charles Minlend scored a game high 16 points while Jordan Ratinho added 12, marking the second consecutive game a pair of freshmen took team-high scoring honors. Minlend shook out of a four-game shooting slump by making 6-of-8 shots from the floor, including 3-of-4 from distance. The 16-point effort was his 12th double figure scoring game of the season and sixth game of tallying at least 16 points.
 
Ratinho, who entered the game ranked sixth in the conference in three-point field goal percentage, canned 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points.
 
Chase Foster also regained his shooting eye by nailing three of his five long distance attempts to finish with nine points. All told, 11 of USF's 12 players who saw action tonight got into the scoring column.
 
The Dons limited the Tigers to just 33.3 percent shooting on the night and held Pacific to its second-lowest scoring output of the season.
 
The Dons jumped on the Tigers early and raced out to a 14-2 lead at the 14:58 mark of the first half after a Foster three. USF's lead grew to 20 after freshman Remu Raitanen's three gave the Dons a 30-10 lead with 5:32 left in the first period.
 
After trailing by 25 points at intermission, 43-18, Pacific could get no closer than 15 points in the second half as USF enjoyed the wire-to-wire victory.
 
With the win, USF has claimed seven out of the last eight games in the series with Pacific. The return game is scheduled for two weeks from tonight in Stockton.
 
"We talked to our guys about hustle being the key to life and I was really pleased with the way we started the game," said USF head coach Kyle Smith. "We made 10 threes in the first half and did a good job defensively all night and were able to finish off the game."
 
After playing three consecutive games against the conference's top three teams in Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and BYU, the Dons didn't let their guard down against a Pacific team which was looking for its third conference win in four games.
 
"They never panicked and we talked a lot this week about staying the course, no matter who you play," said Smith. "We have Portland coming in on Thursday night and they are a dangerous team. It will be another major test."
 
Next Thursday night's game against the Pilots tips off at 7:00 p.m. in War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Tickets are available on-line at USFDons.com/tickets or by calling the USF Ticket Office during normal business hours at (415) 422-2USF. Free parking is available in all campus lots on game nights.