Sacramento State held a 34-27 halftime lead after closing the first half on a 6-0 run. However, the Dons quickly erased their deficit by going on a 23-0 run spanning the first 5:29 of the second half. During the run, San Francisco made each of its first seven field goal attempts, each coming on lay-ups or dunks.

By the time the Hornets scored their first point of the second half on a free throw from freshman Alonzo Young with 14:32 left, USF had already built a 16-point lead (50-34). Sacramento State closed the deficit to eight points (52-44) on an Alex Bausley jumper with 11:27 to play, but that was as close as the Hornets would get the rest of the night. USF’s 25-point margin of victory was also its largest lead of the night.

With the win, San Francisco improved to 2-0. Sacramento State lost for the second time in three nights and dropped to 1-2. The Hornets’ defense, especially the transition defense, continues to be the team’s Achilles heel. All three opponents this season have shot at least .500 from the field, and the opposition is now shooting a combined 56.0 percent (93-166). Sacramento State has shot well offensively (.463), but has not been able to hold the opposition down.

All five San Francisco starters scored at least 14 points, led by Alan Wiggins’ 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots. Manny Quezada added 20 points and nine assists, and Antonio Kellogg finished with 16 points, seven assists and seven steals.

USF finished the game shooting 59.6 percent (34-57) from the field and 78.9 percent (15-19) from the free-throw line. Sacramento State finished the game shooting 41.2 percent (28-68) from the field, but managed to convert just 5-of-19 shots (.263) from the free-throw line.

Bausley led all Hornets with 21 points (10-of-16 shooting) and 12 rebounds. The double-double for Bausley was the eighth of his career, as last year’s first team all-conference selection is now averaging 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds this season.

Joining Bausley in double figures for the Hornets were sophomore Loren Leath (10 points) and junior Angel Alamo (10 points, seven rebounds). Junior Justin Williams finished with nine points and five rebounds, and junior point guard Roderick Adams had seven points, five assists and five steals.

Of Sacramento State’s 37 rebounds, 20 were on the offensive end, including six from Alamo and five from Williams. The Hornets oustscored USF, 34-27, in the first half, but the Dons held a 62-30 advantage in the second half.

The Hornets will now embark upon a brief two-game road trip that will see the team play at Denver on Friday, Nov. 17, and at 15th-ranked Washington on Sunday, Nov. 19.