Dec. 10, 2008

Box Score

(San Francisco, Calif.) Senior center Necolia Simmons posted a career-night with a game-high 24 points and 17 rebounds, but the Dons couldn't hit a three late, falling 60-57 Wednesday to visiting Cal State Fullerton at War Memorial Gym. Trailing by three with eight seconds remaining, the Dons (2-7 overall) missed two 3-pointers to fall to the Titans (3-4 overall).

Simmons' 24 points tied a career high as the senior hit 11-of-17 from the field. Her 17 rebounds smashed a previous high of 13, which was also set Fullerton on Nov. 19, 2007. Both her points and rebounds, marked a season-high for any Don player this season. In addition, her 17 boards marked the highest total for a USF player since the 2003 season, when Mary Kreuger pulled down 23 on Dec. 11 against New Mexico.

The game was close from the opening buzzer as the lead changed sides four times in the opening half. Cal State Fullerton earned their highest lead of the first stanza at 9:50, with a six point, 18-12 edge. San Francisco then began to chip away at the lead, going on a 12-6 run to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.

The Titans controlled a majority of the opening half of the second half to take a game-high 50-40 lead with 9:32 remaining. The Dons went opened up on a 17-6 run to take a three point lead at 1:49 remaining thanks to a 3-pointer by Shay Rollins. Following a lay-up and four free throws by Cal State Fullerton, San Francisco trailed by three with 27 seconds remaining. After inbounding the ball, the Dons were unable to fire a three in the remaining eight seconds to force overtime with the Titans.

In addition to Simmons, senior guard Rollins tallied 14 points, marking her ninth straight double-digit scoring outing this season. Rollins also recorded three rebounds while dishing out three assists and one steal.

Freshman guard Rheina Ale fell just short of double-digits with nine points, dishing out four assists with three rebounds. Junior guard Danesha Wright scored four points, while Nnenna Okereke, Donnisha Taylor and Vania Singleterry each recorded two.

The Dons shot 41.4 percent from the field, while the Titans hit 24-of-63 for a .381 clip. USF also held a 42 to 37 rebounding advantage, but committed 19 turnovers to Fullerton's 13, resulting in 21 points off turnovers for the Titans.

Leading the Titans was Lauren Chow with 19 points, while guard Jasmine Scott posted a double-double with a dozen points and 12 rebounds.

San Francisco now takes the road for three games. The Dons open the road swing Sunday at Sacramento State with a 2 p.m. tip, before traveling south of the border to face Chattanooga (Dec.19) and Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 20) as part of the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico.