As winter break came to a close, the Dons came in hot. The men’s basketball team opened the spring semester hosting two strong West Coast Conference teams, while USF’s track and field team reached new heights with record breaking races.
Track and field traveled to Seattle, Washington to compete in the University of Washington Invitational Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 for their second meet of the indoor season. Ruby Smee, Whitney Hessler, Julia Morales, and Abby Pradere broke a school record by three seconds Jan. 28 in the distance medley relay with a time of 11:25.33. Smee broke a second record by two seconds the following day in the 3,000 meter with a 9:06.24 time.
Men’s basketball found an early lead against Saint Mary’s College of California with back to back jumpers by Jamaree Bouyea and Yauhen Massalski and three consecutive threes by Bouyea, Khalil Shabazz, and Gabe Stefanini, contributing to a 15-2 run. The Dons kept a high tempo, with Bouyea closing the first half with a deep three buzzer beater and a 41-24 score.
The Gaels found their footing at the start of the second half, getting an 18-8 run over the Dons bringing the score to 48-42. The teams found themselves at 63-63 with less than two minutes left. The Gaels ultimately attained a 72-70 win over the Dons.
The Dons headed back to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center two days later to face the Santa Clara Broncos. The Broncos scored an early lead of 20-8, but a steal, layup, and free throw from Josh Kunen kicked off a streak that put the Dons at a 24-23 score.
Julian Rishwain then made a free throw and sank a three to put the Dons at their first lead of the night at 27-24. The teams finished the first half at the same pace, but two free throws made by Shabazz and another deep three buzzer beater by Bouyea would put the Dons at 43-42.
The score stayed tight for the majority of the second half until Shabazz brought up the Dons 78-77 with a three and Bouyea followed with a layup and dunk. The duo ended the game six for six with their foul shots and an 88-85 victory. This game brought Head Coach Todd Golden his 50th program win with USF.
Women’s basketball faced a 99-58 defeat against No.16 Brigham Young University Jan. 29 in Provo, Utah. Despite keeping pace with BYU in the second quarter, they ended the first half down 52-33. Kennedy Dickie stepped out with five three pointers and a total of 17 points while Ioanna Krimili drew in seven free throws and a total of 15 points.
