Nov. 9, 2007

UP NEXT FOR THE DONS: USF takes on East Central in the consolation game of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in a tip-off set for 2:30 PM (PT) at the Lloyd Noble Center. The Division II Tigers dropped a 76-75 overtime decision to Denver in game one Thursday and roared back from a 28-13 halftime deficit behind torrid 3-point shooting. East Central connected on 9-of-16 from long distance after the intermission and shot an impressive .909 (20-22) from the charity stripe. Terrell Carpenter scored a game-high 19 points to lead four Tigers in double-digit scoring, while Tariq Naqquash added 17. ECU's reserves out-scored Denver 35-25 and cashed in 26 points off 18 Pioneer turnovers. USF has never played East Central.

LOWHORN IMPRESSIVE IN DEBUT: Sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn did not disappoint in his much-anticipated debut in the Green and Gold Thursday night against Oklahoma in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The Texas Tech transfer and Bay Area native scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-22 from the field to go along with seven rebounds and a steal in 38 minutes. With his performance against the Sooners, Lowhorn now averages 11.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in three career games against OU.

QUEZADA CONTINUES TO PRODUCE FOR THE DONS: Junior guard Manny Quezada scored 13 points for USF in its 2007-08 season opener against Oklahoma to go along with five rebounds, six assists and a steal in 38 minutes. It marks the 22nd double-digit scoring contest for Quezada in 32 career games in the Green and Gold. Quezada scored a career-high 35 points at Saint Mary's (2/19/07).

DONS TWO-HEADED MONSTER: USF's one-two punch of sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn and junior guard Manny Quezada made their 2007-08 regular season debuts Thursday night against Oklahoma in opening round action of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The duo, combined for 39 of San Francisco's 55 points in a 71-55 loss against the Sooners, accounting for a remarkable .701 of the team's offensive output.

Danny Cavic CONNECTS FROM LONG DISTANCE: Senior guard Danny Cavic converted on 2-of-6 from 3-point range Thursday night in USF's 2007-08 season opener against Oklahoma. Last season, Cavic led the West Coast Conference in 3-point field goal percentage, converting on .462 (36-78) from long distance, becoming the first Don to lead the WCC in long distance connections since Tomas Thompson accomplished the feat in 1992. Cavic finished with eight points, five rebounds and two assists against the Sooners.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS: Freshman guard Myron Strong turned in a solid performance in his Green and Gold debut Thursday against Oklahoma, scoring four points to go along with an assist and a game-high three steals. Strong turned in an outstanding prep career at Memphis' Hamilton High School and teamed with current USF sophomore forward Jay Watkins to propel the Wildcats to a 39-0 record en route to the 2006 state title.

USF IN SEASON OPENERS: Following a 71-55 loss to Oklahoma in the 2007-08 regular season opener, San Francisco owns a 12-11 record in season openers since 1985-86. The Dons had won two of their last four lid-lifters, including an 87-77 victory against Sonoma State (11/11/06). Before breaking through for a 73-62 victory against Tennessee-Martin in the 2003 Guardian's Classic, the USF had dropped four consecutive season debuts. The Dons most lopsided win came in the 1986-87 kick off - a 64-19 pasting of St. Thomas (Minnesota).

A LOOK AHEAD: After taking on East Central tonight, San Francisco returns home to prepare for the 2007-08 home opener against Sacramento State Saturday, November 17 at War Memorial Gym. Game time against the Hornets is set for 7:00 PM. Last season, the Dons seized a 89-64 victory in the capital city, led by 21 points and 13 rebounds from Alan Wiggins, Jr.