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UNCASVILLE, Connecticut – San Francisco shocked No.4 Virginia on Friday, marking the biggest surprise of the college basketball season and the program’s biggest win in decades.
Jamaree Bouyea scored 19 points, and the Dons used an 8-0 finish to beat the Cavaliers 61-60 in the Homelight Classic, part of the “Bubbleville” event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
Khalil Shabazz added 14 points and Taavi Jurkatamm had two big 3 points in the second half for USF (2-1), who were playing their third game in three days.
“For us to be able to compete like this on a national stage, on national television, against one of the most successful shows in the country, that’s a big, big step for our program,” said Todd Golden, 35- one year coach.
Reece Beekman and Justin McCoy each scored 11 points for Virginia (1-1), a 15 1/2 point favorite. Marquette transfer Sam Hauser added 10 points, but missed a 3 point with 2 seconds remaining that would have won the game for the Cavaliers.
“Look at it in the mirror, grow in it,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “We have to toughen up. We have to get gritty. We have to be tougher to score and be the best version of ourselves. ”
Virginia led by three points at halftime and scored the first four points of the second period to take a 28-21 lead. But San Francisco went on an 11-0 run from there.
There were 11 header changes and five ties in the game, with neither team able to separate much.
A Hauser jumper put Virginia 54-53 with 3:42 left, but that would be her last lead of the game.
A strip from Bouyea led to a 3 point Shabazz which gave the Dons a 58-54 advantage and Jurkatamm made it 61-54 with a 3 points the next trip to the court.
UVA broke away and had a chance to win after Josh Kunen missed the lead with a 1 and 1 with 10 seconds left.
But Hauser’s attempt fell off the rim and Trey Murphy III couldn’t convert a point just before the buzzer.
“Nothing is assumed because of what’s on the front of your jersey,” Bennett said.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Dons were a national power when Bill Russell walked the route, winning national titles in 1955 and 1956. But the program was halted for three years in the 1980s after a series of problems off the field.
“This win for the program is really, really big for us,” said Bouyea. “I’ve been here for four years, and they’re probably the best team I’ve played in four years. Beating them and having an amazing performance is wonderful.”
GAME STATS
The Dons had 13 of their 28 3-point attempts (46%) while keeping Virginia 3 of 12 behind the arc. The Cavaliers got just five assists out of 21 baskets.
BIG PICTURE
Virginia: The Cavaliers defeated Towson 89-54 Wednesday in the opening game of Bubbleville. But on Friday, Virginia’s offense looked a bit more like it was last season averaging 57 points per game. Virginia has scored 70 points just twice during the 2019-20 campaign, both in losses, and has never reached 80 points.
San Francisco: The Dons improved in each of the three consecutive days they played. They dropped their first game 76-68 against UMass-Lowell, a game in which they were big favorites, and beat Towson 79-68 on Thursday.
NEXT
Virginia: Plays her home opener Tuesday against Saint Francis (Pennsylvania).
San Francisco: The Dons are scheduled to play their fourth game in five days in Bubbleville on Sunday, against Rhode Island.
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