USF erases 14-point deficit, tops BYU

Frankie Ferrari had a career-high 23 points and USF overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to knock off BYU 77-71 in Provo, Utah, on Thursday night.

The Dons (21-6, 9-4) were down 63-49 with 7½ minutes left before going on a 10-0 run that was capped by Charles Minlend’s drive with a little more than four minutes remaining.

The game was tied 68-68 with 1½ minutes to go before Jordan Ratinho put the Dons ahead to stay with a 3-pointer.

The victory gives USF a season sweep over BYU (18-11, 10-4). That could be key in determining which team gets the No. 2 seed in the WCC tournament. The top two teams don’t play until the semifinals.

Ferrari had a superb all-around game, as he went 9-for-12 from the floor, including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. He added seven assists and six rebounds.

Yoeli Childs had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Cougars, who had won their previous five games. TJ Haws added 25 points. St. Mary’s 58, Pacific 32: In Stockton, Jordan Ford nearly outscored the Tigers (13-15, 3-10) as the Gaels (18-10, 9-4) remained tied for third in the conference with USF.

The Gaels’ guard, who entered Thursday leading the WCC in scoring at 21.6 points per game, finished with 28. No other player on either team scored more than eight points. The Tigers went 10-for-48 (20.8 percent) from the floor, including 2-for-11 (18.2 percent) from long range.

Women

#15 Gonzaga 74, Santa Clara 61: At the Leavey Center, Zykera Rice had 15 points and nine rebounds to lead the Zags (24-3, 13-2) over the Broncos (11-15, 4-11). LMU 69, St. Mary’s 56: In Los Angeles, Chelsey Gipson scored 25 points as the Lions (16-11, 9-6) handled the Gaels (18-9, 11-5). Portland 69, USF 66: On the Hilltop, Shannon Powell hit a tying bucket for the Dons (6-20, 2-13) with 2:20 left in the game, but Haylee Andrews hit a jumper on the ensuing possession that put the Pilots (12-14, 4-11) ahead to stay.