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Dons Fall To San Jose State 63-51
Nov. 24, 2009
(San Jose, Calif.) - The University of San Francisco of women's basketball team dropped a 63-51 decision to San Jose State Tuesday evening at the Event Center in San Jose. The Dons led by as many as 15 late in the first half but struggled in the second half to drop the contest.
With the loss, USF evens its record at 2-2, while the Spartans earn their first victory of the season to improve to 1-3.
San Francisco controlled the first half, shooting 31.0 percent, being paced by 11 first half points by Rheina Ale. The Dons held the Spartans to just two four points over a ten minute span during the stanza. USF took control of SJSU miscues in the half, scoring 13 points off of turnovers.
The second half was a different story for the Dons, who failed to hit a field goal until the 13:47 mark. The Spartans went on a 16-3 run early in the half to take a lead and never look back. San Jose State held the Dons to just 6-of-27 shooting in the second half, while getting past the USF defense, scoring 30 points in the half in the paint.
Ale led the Dons on the evening with 17 points, while sophomore guard Vania Singleterry added 13 with a team-high five rebounds.
Donnisha Taylor added eight points for USF with two steals, an assist and four rebounds.
For the game, San Francisco shot 94.4 percent from the free throw line, going 17-for-18. It wasn't until the 4:42 mark in the second half before the Dons missed a basket from the charity stripe.
San Jose State was paced by Chasity Shavers with a game-high 17 points, while Palagi Atoe added 11, nine in the second half alone.
The Dons will return to action Friday as they kick-off the 2009 Basketball Travelers Tip-off Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. USF will face host Texas Tech in the opening game at 6 p.m. before facing Prairie View A&M Saturday and Texas A&M Sunday.
