USF Eliminated From NIT to End its Season
By Josh Horton
The LSU Tigers strolled into War Memorial Gymnasium and willed their way past the hosting USF, defeating the Dons by a score of 71 to 63.
The Dons led for the first minute and 40 seconds of the game, but the Tigers combatted that with a 13-4 to lead 13-6. LSU did not lose the lead the entire game, despite a great deal of USF comeback attempts that worked to no avail.
The Dons received a stellar performance from senior forward Cole Dickerson, who officially played his last game in the green and gold. Dickerson scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Tim Derksen had a solid game off the bench, scoring 12 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two total assists.
Kruize Pinkins did a good amount of work on the glass tonight for the Dons, leading USF in rebounds with 10. Avry Holmes five assist outing was a team best for San Francisco.
Freshman Jarell Martin was tremendous in the first half for the Tigers with 14 points and six rebounds. He finished the game leading LSU in points with 16 points and six rebounds. Shavon Coleman and Johnny O’Bryant posted 13 points apiece to round out the Tigers double-digit scorers.
Jordan Mickey led LSU on the glass with eight rebounds. Three different Tigers – Anthony Hickey, Coleman and Martin – all led the team in assists with three each.
Player of the Game
Cole Dickerson
The seniors season and career ends on a bitter, but also sweet note. Dickerson had 24 points to lead all scorers off 10 of 20 shooting. He also added eight rebounds.
The Dons seasons is officially over with the loss. San Francisco was fortunate to be in the NIT to begin with after the drama and controversy that clouded the program earlier in the season. Great resiliency was shown by the Dons senior leaders and coaching staff to get the Dons to where they are right now.
USF also says good-bye to its senior leader, fan favorite and all-time great Don, Cole Dickerson. While ending an illustrious career with a loss is never a good feeling, Dickerson finished it off with a solid game, a fitting end for the forward from Federal Way, Wash.