USF Women's Basketball Takes Exciting 88-73 Victory Over Santa Clara :: Five Dons Score in Double Figures; Three Earn Double-Doubles

Feb. 23, 2008

(San Francisco, CA) - It was an electric night on the Hilltop as San Francisco Women's Basketball earned a thrilling 88-73 victory over Bay Area and West Coast Conference rival Santa Clara on Saturday. The last time the Dons (14-13, 5-7 WCC) scored 88 points or more in a conference game was February 10, 2001 when they defeated Gonzaga at home 88-60.

USF got the night started with a good foul shot by sophomore forward Heidi Heintz with less than 30 seconds off the clock. Four lead changes and 15 minutes later, the Dons overtook the Broncos (18-9, 7-5 WCC) 27-26, and never looked back, leading by eight (42-34) going into the break. The Dons kept a large lead throughout the second half, going ahead by as much as 19 (79-60) with five minutes remaining in the game.

Five Dons scored in double figures, including three with double-doubles. Leading the way for USF was senior forward Dominique Carter who scored 26 on the night, along with seven rebounds and three assists. Carter moved past Saint Mary's Cheree Tappin (1987-91/1,742) for fourth place all time on the WCC Charts with 1,765 points. She needs 34 points to pass Santa Clara's Melissa King (1990-93/1,798) for third.

Senior guard Nykia Peace earned her second career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Shay Rollins also earned her second career double-double with 11 rebounds and tied her career high with 23 points. Junior forward Necolia Simmons earned her fifth double-double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Also in double figure scoring was Heintz with 11 points.

USF led in field goal percentage .582 (32-55) to .409 (27-66); 3-Point field goal percentage .579 (11-19) to .323 (10-31) and nearly doubled the Broncos rebound total, 46-25. Santa Clara had the slim advantage in free throw percentage .600 (9-15) to .591 (13-22) and turned the ball over half as much as the Dons (8-16).

SCU's senior guard Tracy Walker led the Broncos with 21 points.

USF takes its final road trip of the regular season, taking on the Lions at Loyola Marymount on Thursday in Los Angeles.