Nov. 12, 2010

Final Stats

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Paige Mintun scored a game-high 20 points and had five steals, and UC Davis jumped out to a double-digit lead early in the game as the Aggies cruised to a 69-45 nonconference women's basketball season-opening victory over the University of San Francisco at War Memorial Gym on Friday night.

The Aggies have opened each of the last three seasons on the road, picking up wins in each game and doing so by at least 20 points each time. UC Davis also held a commanding 46-27 advantage on the boards on Friday with sophomore Vicky Deely grabbing eight off the bench.

Samantha Meggison added 11 points for UC Davis while Heidi Heintz, who began her collegiate career at USF, finished with eight. San Francisco, coached by former Stanford standout Jennifer Azzi, was led by 12 points from guard Kelly Jo Mullaney.

The Aggies held the Dons to just four field goals in the first half and just 17.4% shooting while opening a 32-14 lead at the break. They led by as many as 26 points in the second half and turned back a USF rally which saw it climb to within 16 points with under nine minutes to play by going on a 10-0 run.

Mintun, a two-time All-Big West first-team honoree, was 7 of 14 from the field including making both of her three-poiners, and added seven rebounds and the five steals.

"For a first time out I just thought we played really hard tonight and I think that's reflected in the rebounding totals," said head coach Sandy Simpson. "There weren't many times last year where we outrebounded an opponent, much less by the margin that we did tonight. I thought the effort on the offensive boards was outstanding."

The only time UC Davis trailed in the game was in the opening moments when Heidi Anton canned a three-pointer for the Dons. However, the Aggies, keyed by a three-pointer from Meggison, scored the next seven and after USF got to within 7-6, rattled off the next nine points for double-digit, 16-6 lead with 13:41 left in the half.

A free throw from Meggison made it 27-12 while Deely's three-pointer with 2:55 to go provided the halftime score of 32-14. Mintun was especially productive in the opening 20 minutes, making 5 of 8 shots and scoring 12 points to go with four steals.

UC Davis gradually built on the lead during the first part of the second half, going up 45-21 on Blair Shinoda's three-pointer. But an 8-2 surge by the Dons around the midway point got them to 52-36 after a trey from Kelly Jo Mullaney. Mintun, though, hit two free throws, freshman Brianna Salvatore scored a three and Kasey Riecks followed with one of her own to help the Aggies tally the next 10 and make it 62-36 with 5:47 remaining.

USF didn't get closer than 22 points the rest of the way.

"Even when we weren't executing perfectly we were still very composed," said Simpson. "I never saw us sort of wondering what's going on. Every time they made a mini run, we always answered."

The Aggies' Hana Asano had four assists, often looking up ahead of the fast break to find teammates for layups. Heintz added three assists while also grabbing six boards. Riecks also had a half-dozen boards.

Rheina Ale had six steals and Mullaney picked up four for USF.

The Aggies will return to the court on Sunday, hosting Washington State of the Pac-10 at 1 p.m. at The Pavilion.