Jan. 28, 2010

Box Score

(Portland, Ore.) - San Francisco women's basketball fought hard but fell in the final minute, 53-50, to Portland Thursday evening at the Chiles Center in Portland, Ore. After having a 27-26 lead at halftime, the Dons led for a majority of the second half but were unable to hold onto their edge in the final minutes to remain winless in West Coast Conference action.

With the loss, USF falls to 4-19 overall, 0-6 in WCC play, while the Pilots improve to 14-7, 3-3 in league action.

The two teams played close in the opening 20 minutes, with neither side taking more than a five point lead. San Francisco held a 7-2 lead at the first media timeout but Portland went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 11-7 advantage. The Dons stormed back, down by two at 3:17, to build momentum and take the lead at halftime. Nnenna Okereke started the charge, grabbing an offensive rebound off the back end of a one and one, sinking a lay-up and tying the score 24-24. Following two Pilot free throws to break the tie, Rheina Ale hit a deep three from the top of the key to give the USF a 27-26 halftime lead.

Dons held control of the lead for a majority of the second half, until the final two minutes. San Francisco's defense stifled Portland to go up by has many as five midway through the stanza as the Dons held the Pilots to only free throw points, no baskets from the field, between 15:10 and 2:53. With USF up 46-45 at 2:04, UP's Alexis Gannis recorded a lay-up to give the Pilots their first lead of the half. The lead would change sides six times over the remainder of the game. Gannis, who was 6-for-11 from the charity stripe for the night, hit two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to give Portland a three point, 53-50, lead. San Francisco fired off three 3-point shots during their final possession but was unable to sink a basket and force overtime.

Ale paced the Dons with 15 points, marking her eighth consecutive double-digit scoring effort. The sophomore also dished out six assists with five rebounds and a steal. Her six assists ties a career-high set earlier in the season against Cal State Fullerton.

Okereke tied a career-high with eight points while leading the USF defense with 13 rebounds. Okereke also added an assist, a block and two steals.

Katy Keating recorded nine points for the Dons, including seven of San Francisco's final nine points. Vania Singleterry added nine, while Heidi Anton recorded four in her first career start. Joining Anton with her first start as a Don was Whitney Daniels, who added a career-high four steals with four rebounds and three points.

Portland was paced by Gannis with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Gannis scored all of the Pilots final 11 points in the contest. Laiken Dollente and ReZina Teclemariam also posted double-digits with 18 and 11 points, respectively.

San Francisco will close out the second half of West Coast Conference play Saturday as the Dons face preseason favorite, Gonzaga. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. The Zags are currently receiving votes in the national polls.