Nov. 30, 2001

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF women's basketball needed a win desperately and got a big one in a 95-69 victory against Cal State Northridge in non-conference action Saturday at War Memorial Gym. The Lady Dons (1-3) got 59 points from their bench, including a game-high 19 from freshman forward Corry Berger to keep the Matadors (0-4) winless on the season.

Berger was impressive in her first extended action of the season, converting on 9-for-13 to go along with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 22 minutes of action to lead four Lady Dons in double-digit scoring. Freshman forward Angela Gibson scored 15 points on 7-for-8 from the field and ripped down a team-high eight rebounds in her second consecutive start for USF. Sophomore forward Carey Sauer recovered her scoring touch and pumped in 14 points in 13 minutes of action with senior guard Melanie Turner added 12 points and four assists off the bench.

USF trailed 2-0, but took a 4-2 lead on a layup from Gibson and never trailed for the remainder of the contest, building a 42-21 lead at the half. The Lady Dons were dominant in the paint, outscoring the Matadors 20-4 in the opening 20 minutes, paced by 10 from Berger.

San Francisco continued to extend their lead in the second frame and led by as many as 30 following a pair of free throws by junior guard Alicia Hernandez, to put the Lady Dons up 77-47 at the 7:09 mark.

USF's pressuring defense forced 29 Matador turnovers, keyed by junior guard Lisa Whiteside with a pair of steals and freshman guard Toni Russell with three swipes. Whiteside finished with a solid effort with eight points and seven assists in 26 minutes, while Russell dished out four assists. Senior guard Lindsey Huff scored five points to go along with five assists and a pair of steals in 17 minutes.

Kameelah Purdom scored a team-high 16 points to lead Cal State Northridge. Sha'Tasha Allen added 14 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Matadors.

San Francisco hosts Washington on Sunday at War Memorial Gym. The Huskies defeated Saint Mary's in Moraga 62-55 on Friday. Game time against UW is at 2:00 PM.