Perimeter-powered San Francisco fills it up from deep

Gonzaga yielded a season-high 80 points to San Francisco in the first meeting in January but the Zags successfully took away one of primary USF’s strengths.

The Dons, first in the WCC and 27th nationally at 9.3 made 3-pointers per game, were just 7 of 29 (24.1 percent) from distance in a 95-80 loss.

Eight Dons have made at least 14 3s, led Jordan Ratinho’s 46 and Charles Minlend’s 45. Ratinho made three 3s and scored 20 points in the January meeting but the Zags contained USF’s other shooters. Josh Perkins or Nigel Williams-Goss will probably defend Ratinho.

Ronnie Boyce comes off the bench but still leads the team at 13.9 points per game. He scored 20 points against GU in a game last season and had 13 points in 17 minutes in January. Silas Melson can expect to see time on Boyce.