Feb. 15, 2002

Box Score

(San Francisco) - Playing in the opening game of the final homestand of their careers, USF seniors combined for 45 points as the Lady Dons powered past Santa Clara 87-79 in West Coast Conference women's basketball Friday at War Memorial Gym. With the victory, San Francisco (14-10, 6-5 WCC) records its first victory against the Broncos (17-7, 7-4) since the 1996-97 season.

Fifth-year senior guard Lindsey Huff had never been a part of a USF victory against Santa Clara and set out to capitalize on her final opportunity. Huff was terrific, pouring in a career-high 27 points on 6-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. In addition Huff converted on 11-of -12 from the free throw line, pulled down four rebounds and committed just one turnover in 32 minutes.

Huff was not the only senior to put on exclamation point on her career on the Hilltop. Molly Shanley scored a season-high 10 points on 4-of-5 from the field and made a pair of 3-pointers to go along with four rebounds. Melanie Turner also had a big night for the Lady Dons off the bench, scoring eight points and a pair of assists off the bench.

From the start, the contest resembled the last six meetings in the series. In the first half, neither team could pull away and the lead changed hands 11 times and the largest lead was six, held briefly by Santa Clara. Once the smoke cleared after the first 20 minutes, the Broncos held a 40-38 lead.

San Francisco opened the second half on 16-8 run and never trailed. Huff scored a remarkable 24 points in the second period to lead the Lady Don charge. USF was dialed in from long distance and converted on 8-for-16 from beyond the arc in the first half and finished hitting at a .478 (11-of-23) clip. The 11 3-pointers were one shy of equaling the single-game program record set last season against UMass.

USF held a 37-30 rebounding lead and a slight advantage from the field, .482 (27-56) to .475 (28-59). The Lady Dons also enjoyed a big advantage at the charity stripe hitting at a .846 (22-26) pace, while the Broncos struggled connecting on .650 (13-20).

Senior guard Becki Ashbaugh scored a team-high 24 points on 8-of-15 from the floor and completed the double-double with 13 assists. Senior guard Caroline Gruening added 17 points for the Broncos.

Other strong USF performances were turned in by sophomore forward Carey Sauer, who scored 14 points to go along with nine rebounds in 19 minutes and junior guard Alicia Hernandez added 12 points and dished out four assists.

USF hosts San Diego in the final home game of the 2001-2002 regular season on Saturday. Game time is at 7:00 PM at War Memorial Gym. Prior to the tip-off between the Toreros and Lady Dons, senior night festivities will be held, honoring seniors Renae Hofmann, Huff, Shanley and Turner.