Dons Advance to the NIT Second Round
USF’s men’s basketball team beat Utah Valley last night, 79-70, in a thrilling home game at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center, and the team advanced to the second round of postseason playoffs.
The Dons will host Jesuit rival Loyola Chicago on Sunday at 4 p.m. PT at War Memorial. The Dons and Ramblers faced off earlier this season on Dec. 15, when USF secured a 76-66 win at the Fiser Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tickets to Sunday’s home NIT matchup can be purchased online. It’s free for students. The game will be broadcast live on KNBR 1050 radio. There will be live statistics reporting, too. The game will air live on ESPN2.
Last night’s game was the first NIT home game hosted by USF since 2014. The Dons (25-9, 13-5 WCC) captured its first postseason win in seven years.
“Happy to survive and advance,” said Coach Chris Gerlufsen after the game. “Credit to our guys. Utah Valley came in ready to play.”
Posting his best performance in the green and gold, Carlton Linguard Jr. scored a season-high 18 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and tying a season-high with four made three pointers, including finishing with a game-high +16 plus-minus.
“It feels amazing,” Linguard said after the game. “We play all year to play in the postseason.”
