March 2, 2008

Complete Pepperdine Game Notes in PDF Format

USF CLOSES OUT 2008 WCC REGULAR SEASON AGAINST PEPPERDINE: San Francisco welcomes Pepperdine to the Hilltop for the 2008 West Coast Conference regular season finale set for a 7:00 PM tip-off Monday at War Memorial Gym. Fresh off a satisfying 88-79 victory against Loyola Marymount - USF's second straight home win and second overall in its last three outings - the Dons look to send their seniors out with a victory. San Francisco took a 85-82 win February 2 in Malibu in career triumph No. 800 for USF interim head coach Eddie Sutton. USF owns a 67-41 lead in the all-time series including the last five straight meetings.

Dior Lowhorn - WCC SCORING LEADER: After sitting out the entire 2006-07 season under NCAA transfer rules, sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn is making up for lost time. The Texas Tech transfer and Bay Area native averaged 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a freshman for the Red Raiders. Lowhorn was named NorCal Player of the Year also captured "Bay Area Player of the Year" honors from the Oakland Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle following his senior campaign at Berkeley High School. Lowhorn scored 26 points at Oklahoma (11/8/07) in his Dons debut and then turned in his first USF double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds against East Central (11/9/07). Lowhorn poured in a career-high 30 points in his home debut against Sacramento State (11/17/07) en route to West Coast Conference Player of the Week honors. Lowhorn scored 29 points with seven rebounds at No. 12 Oregon (11/24/07) in his third straight 20-plus point outing. Lowhorn has scored at least 20 points in 16 of 28 games and has registered 19 points six times. On the year, Lowhorn averages a team- and WCC-high 20.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Dior Lowhorn AMONG NATIONAL SCORING LEADERS: Sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn ranks No. 27 among NCAA Division I scoring leaders at 20.5 points per game, as of February 24, 2008. Lowhorn is the first Don to crack the top-30 on the NCAA scoring list since John Cox (1999-05) accomplished the feat as a senior.

WELCOME BACK VINCE: Senior forward Vince Polakovic made the most of his delayed 2008 debut, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds against Gonzaga (2/16/08). Polakovic poured in a 20 points in a 73-60 win against Portland (2/18/08), and registered a career-high 23 in a win against Loyola Marymount (3/1/08). In four games back, Polakovic averages 17.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Manny Quezada LEADS DONS OFFENSE: Junior guard Manny Quezada was named one of six West Coast Conference "Players to Watch" by the league's coaches. In his first season after transferring from Rutgers, Quezada ranked 11th among WCC scoring leaders to go along with 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Capable of instant offense, Quezada tossed in 28 second half points en route to a career-high 35 points, at Saint Mary's (2/19/07). Quezada notched his second career 30-point game with a 30-point outburst at No. 12 Oregon (11/24/07) and turned in his first double-double at Pepperdine (2/2/08) with 11 points and a career-high 12 assists. The New York native averages 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

DONS TWO-HEADED MONSTER: USF's one-two punch of sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn and junior guard Manny Quezada made their 2007-08 regular season debuts at Oklahoma in opening round action of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The duo, combined for 39 of San Francisco's 55 points in a 71-55 loss against the Sooners, accounting for a remarkable .701 of the team's offensive output. The pair combined for 59 points at No. 12 Oregon (11/24/07). Through 28 games of the 2007-08 campaign, Lowhorn and Quezada account for 34.5 points per game - .522 of the Dons total offense.

USF DONS ON GREEN 960 AM: USF men's basketball returns to the airwaves and cyberspace for the 2007-2008 season and all games will be available live at USFDons.com, while all games starting after 7:00 PM (PT) will air live on Green 960 AM. Join Pat Olson for the play-by-play in his 17th year behind the microphone courtside. USF Hall-of-Famer Jim Brovelli will join Olson on selected broadcasts. Other features available on USFDons.com include GameTracker, courtesy of CSTV.com with live play-by-play of all non-televised home games courtesy of Yahoo Broadcast.

A LOOK AHEAD: San Francisco will open play in the 2008 West Coast Conference Tournament Friday, March 7 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the University of San Diego campus. Game time and opponent have yet to be determined.

Danny Cavic - WCC'S TOP LONG DISTANCE GUNNER: Senior guard Danny Cavic enters his final season in the Green and Gold focused on leading USF to the top of the West Coast Conference standings. Despite battling a chronic back injury, which hampered his mobility for most of the 2006-07 season, Cavic led the league in 3-point field goal percentage, converting on .462 (36-78) from long distance. Cavic is the first Don to lead the league in long distance connections since Tomas Thompson accomplished the feat in 1992. Cavic scored a season-high 19 points at Pepperdine (1/15/07), converting on 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Cavic scored a career-high 25 points in a 73-60 win against Portland (2/18/08), converting on a career best 6-of-9 from 3-point range. Cavic scored 23 points and went 3-of-6 from 3-point range in a win at Pepperdine (2/2/08). The long range shooter has converted on .439 (54-123) from downtown this season and has 126 career treys, good for sole possession of fifth place on the Dons career list. A career .441 (126-286) shooter from beyond the arc, Cavic cracked the top five at No. 23 Saint Mary's (2/8/08), moving past Dons standout Darrell Tucker (1999-03), who recorded 116. Cavic averages 9.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per games as a senior.

POLAKOVIC SHINES FOR USF AFTER DELAYED DEBUT: After sitting out the first 24 games of the season, senior forward Vince Polakovic made the most of his return, averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds against Gonzaga (2/16/08) and Portland (2/18/08). Polakovic's penalties were the result of his participation on a German professional team - in which several teammates, but not Polakovic, received stipends deemed by the NCAA to be above actual and necessary expenses - prior to his enrollment at Northern Iowa in 2004-05 and his subsequent transfer to the University of San Francisco. Polakovic, who has been practicing with the team since the start of the Spring semester scored a 20 points in the Dons 73-60 victory against the Pilots and then poured in a career-high 23 points in a 88-79 win against LMU (3/1/08). Polakovic has set career bests in scoring in three of his last four games.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS: Freshman guard Myron Strong continues to produce for the Dons. Strong turned in an outstanding prep career at Memphis' Hamilton High School and helped propel the Wildcats to a 39-0 record en route to the 2006 state title. Strong turned a huge performance in his War Memorial Gym debut against Sacramento State (11/17/07), scoring a career-high 21 points with four rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes off the bench. Strong scored 14 points with three assists at UC Santa Barbara (11/20/07) and followed it with 15-point, seven assist performance at No. 12 Oregon (11/24/07). In USF's 60-59 win at Portland (1/19/08), Strong scored 13 points with six rebounds and five assists. On the season, Strong averages 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, ranks second on the team in assists (3.0) and leads the Dons in steals (1.7).

Hyman Taylor REBOUNDS: Sophomore center Hyman Taylor is beginning to assert himself on the low block for USF. The Florida native has made big strides in the paint for the Dons and in nine West Coast Conference games averages 4.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Taylor ripped down a career-high 12 boards at Utah Valley State (12/31/07) - the most by a Don this season - and pulled down 10 boards at Gonzaga (1/21/08). Taylor posted his first career double-double with a career-high 11 points with 11 rebounds and three blocks against Santa Clara (1/28/08).

Christian Hernandez READY FOR AN ENCORE: Sophomore guard Christian Hernandez made some big contributions for USF last season and figures prominently in the back court mix once again in 2007-08. The former walk-on averaged 8.9 minutes in 29 games and scored a season-high five points at Saint Mary's (2/19/07). Hernandez established a career-high with nine points with a pair of assists in 23 minutes against Weber State (12/8/07).

LOWHORN CHASING John Cox: Sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn is enjoying one of the most prolific offensive seasons in program history and enters the 2007-08 home finale against Pepperdine with 578 points (20.6), good for 13th place on the single-season scoring list. Lowhorn needs just two points to pass USF Hall-of-Famer Phil Smith, who scored 579 in 1973-74 and 20 points from the top-10 by passing Dons legend Bill Russell, who tallied 597 points in 1955-56 - his senior All-American season. Lowhorn is within striking distance of USF standout John Cox, who scored 621 points during his senior campaign in 2004-05 - the most in a single-season since the return of basketball in 1985-86. Lowhorn needs 44 points to supplant Cox in seventh place. Quintin Dailey owns the top spot, scoring 755 points in 1981-82 (25.2).

DONS ADD Robert McCullum TO THE COACHING STAFF: Former University of South Florida head coach Robert McCullum has been named to the coaching staff at the University of San Francisco as announced by interim head coach Eddie Sutton. A coaching veteran, McCullum spent four seasons as the Bulls boss after a successful three-year stint at Western Michigan. McCullum will be involved in all facets of the Dons program and is believed to be the only individual to coach at both USF's.

CAVIC AND HERNANDEZ - SMART, VERY SMART: Five USF basketball players, three from the women's team and two from the men's squad, were named to the 2008 West Coast Conference All-Academic Basketball Teams. The WCC All-Academic team honors the league's "finest examples of the consummate scholar-athlete," as announced by the conference. USF women had three players recognized for their outstanding work in the classroom - senior guard Dominique Carter (3.39/Accounting), senior center Lisa Olden (3.91/Accounting) and sophomore forward Heidi Heintz (3.53/Exercise and Sport Science). On the men's side, San Francisco placed two on the All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year. Senior forward Danny Cavic (3.15/Business) earned his second straight honor. Cavic is the sixth Don to earn two selections. Sophomore guard Christian Hernandez (3.68/Business Administration) was named to the All-Academic team for the first time. San Francisco and Portland were the only two men's basketball teams with two athletes named. With five total players selected, USF placed the most athletes on the Winter All-Academic Team. Portland and Gonzaga each placed three student-athletes.

USF LEADING THE LEAGUE AT THE CHARITY STRIPE: USF enters the regular season home finale leading the West Coast Conference in free throw accuracy, connecting at a .732 (161-220) clip during league contests, .016 points in front of Santa Clara at .716 (159-222). The Dons convert on .695 (342-492) on the year, good for fifth place in overall games. USF has led the league in free throw accuracy during WCC contests eight times, the last coming 2003 when the Dons connected on .744 (183-246) from the foul line.

USF NOTCHES TWO 50-POINT HALVES: Although USF has experienced its share of offensive woes this season, the Dons have recorded two 50-plus point outbursts in a single half during the 2007-08 season. San Francisco scored 50 points in the first half against Sacramento State (11/17/07) and then posted a 55-point barrage in the second half at Pepperdine (2/2/08).

DONS NOTCH PROGRAM VICTORY NUMBER 1,188: San Francisco collected the 1,188th victory in program history in a 88-79 decision against Loyola Marymount (3/1/08) at War Memorial Gym. The win was career victory No. 802 for USF interim head coach Eddie Sutton. In the 94th season of Division I basketball on the Hilltop, the Dons have their eyes set on 1,200 program victories.

WALLACE BRYANT INDUCTED INTO USF HALL OF FAME: USF Legend and two-time soccer All-American Staale Soebye (`94), baseball star Tad Tassone (`73), basketball greats Wallace Bryant (`82) and Jamie Shadian (`99), soccer standout Serge Burenin (`61) and longtime USF athletic trainer Wally Hayes were inducted into the University of San Francisco Hub Flynn Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, February 15, 2008 during the Dons Homecoming Festivities. Considered one of the finest men's basketball centers in program history and a two-time all-West Coast Conference selection, Bryant teamed with All-Americans Bill Cartwright and Quintin Daily to earn USF three consecutive WCC Championships (1979-81) and four NCAA tournaments berths (1979-82). Bryant ranks 10th in USF career scoring with 1,529 points (13.0) and is fifth in career rebounding with 1,062 (9.0). Bryant is one of just five players in Dons history to record at least 1,000 career boards - fellow Hall-of-Famers Bill Russell (1,606), Ollie Johnson (1,323), Bill Cartwright (1,137) and Pete Cross (1,104) are the others.

LOWHORN NAMED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK - NOVEMBER 19: San Francisco forward Dior Lowhorn was named West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for November 19, 2007. Lowhorn scored a career-high 30 points and collected nine rebounds in the Dons' home-opening win over Sacramento State Saturday. Lowhorn shot .619 (13-21) from the field in his much-anticipated debut at War Memorial Gym to go along with two block and two assists in 36 minutes. The Texas Tech transfer averaged a conference high 25.0 points per game through the first three contests this year. Lowhorn also sits third in the WCC in rebounds per game with 9.3 and has a .525 shooting percentage, 13th best in the conference.

Dior Lowhorn FIRST DON TO 30: Sophomore forward Dior Lowhorn became the first USF player to crack 30 points for the Green and Gold this season with a career-high 30 points on 13-of-21 from the field against Sacramento State (11/17/07). Lowhorn is the third Don to score at least 30 points in a game since the start of last season. Antonio Kellogg scored 37 against San Diego (1/6/06) and junior guard Manny Quezada poured in a career-high 34 at Saint Mary's (2/19/07).

Manny Quezada SECOND DON TO 30: Junior guard Manny Quezada became the second USF player to crack 30 points for the Green and Gold this season with a 30 points on 10-of-20 from the field at No. 12 Oregon (11/24/07). Quezada is the fourth Don to score at least 30 points in a game since the start of last season and is the only player to accomplish the feat twice. Antonio Kellogg scored 37 against San Diego (1/6/06) and Quezada poured in a career-high 34 at Saint Mary's (2/19/07).

DONS ON THE TUBE: San Francisco made nine appearances on television this season, highlighted by an ESPN "Big Monday" game at Gonzaga (1/21/08). USF appeared three times on the ESPN family and six time on Comcast. The Dons won their 2008 television debut with a 60-59 victory at Portland (1/19/08) and then completed the Pilot sweep with a 73-60 decision Feb. 18 with both contests carried live by Comcast.

DONS IN REGULAR SEASON FINALES: Since 1998-99, USF owns a 3-7 record in its regular season finales and an identical 3-7 mark in regular season home finales. San Francisco captured a 70-67 victory against Portland in the 2007 regular season and home finale at War Memorial Gym.

USF IN SEASON OPENERS: Following a 71-55 loss to Oklahoma in the 2007-08 regular season opener, San Francisco owns a 12-11 record in season openers since 1985-86. The Dons had won two of their last four lid-lifters, including an 87-77 victory against Sonoma State (11/11/06). Before breaking through for a 73-62 victory against Tennessee-Martin in the 2003 Guardian's Classic, USF had dropped four straight season debuts. The Dons most lopsided win came in 1986-87 - a 64-19 pasting of St. Thomas (Minnesota).