San Francisco -- A career-high tying 25 points by senior guard Ali Thomas led a gutty 80-70 victory against the BYU Cougars Thursday, November 30 in non-conference men's basketball action at War Memorial Gym. The Dons (3-3) dressed just seven scholarship players for the second consecutive game but turned up the defensive intensity to hold off the Cougars (2-1).

The Dons received a boost off the bench from walk-on freshman guard Nick Tarbat, a member of the USF baseball team pressed into service with three Dons' point guards on the shelf due to injury.

The two teams were whistled for 52 personal fouls and four players took an early exit after fouling out of the game with the Dons losing center Hondre Brewer and junior guard Tayo Akinsete. Free throws kept the Cougars in the hunt until the waning minutes of the game as BYU converted on 13-15 free throws in the second half and finished the game converting on 25-29 (.862) at the charity stripe. USF took advantage of their trips to the line as well and converted on 32-40 (.800).

For USF, Thomas was the story running the point position instead of his customary shooting guard role and excelled at it.

"He (Thomas) did an excellent job tonight. He's not a point guard, but we do what we have to do. He really came up big for us tonight," USF head coach Philip Mathews stated.

Thomas led all scorers with 25 points and was 7-of-12 from the floor, including 4-5 from beyond the 3-point line and converted on all seven of his free throws. Joining Thomas in double-figure scoring for USF was sophomore forward Darerell Tucker, with 16, senior forward James Lee, who scored 14, Brewer added 11 and Akinsete who finished with 10.

Senior center Mekeli Wesley scored 20 to lead the Cougars and senior guard Terrell Lyday added 16, but struggled from the floor converting on just 4-0f-17 from the floor. Wesley was 12-of-12 at the free throw line. Junior guard Matt Montague chipped in 12 points in the losing effort.

USF returns to action Saturday, December 2 when they host the Northwestern Mutual Mayor's Game against Fresno State. Game time is at 5:30 PM at War Memorial Gym and will be broadcast locally on KRON Channel Four.