As the collegiate basketball season heats up in early 2026, the San Francisco Dons are navigating a demanding West Coast Conference (WCC) schedule, with both their men’s and women’s teams facing crucial matchups. From high-stakes predictions to hard-fought victories and defeats, January has proven to be a pivotal month for the San Francisco programs as they vie for position within their competitive conference.
Dons Men’s Squad Eyes Victory Against Loyola Marymount
The San Francisco Dons men’s basketball team, boasting an 11-6 overall record and a respectable 3-1 start in WCC play, was poised for a significant showdown against the Loyola Marymount Lions (10-7, 1-3 WCC) on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Heading into the contest, the Dons carried momentum, having secured five wins in their previous six games, including notable victories over San Diego and Portland.
According to DraftKings Network, the historical advantage leaned heavily towards San Francisco, which had dominated Loyola Marymount in their past encounters, winning the last six matchups. The Dons’ offensive firepower is spread across four double-digit scorers, with Ryan Beasley leading the charge, averaging 13.1 points per game. Their statistical profile also suggested a slight edge, ranking 101st on KenPom, 25 spots higher than Loyola Marymount.
Offensively, San Francisco averages 75.1 points per game, slightly trailing the Lions’ 76.7 points. However, defensively, both teams are closely matched, with San Francisco allowing 68.2 points per contest compared to Loyola Marymount’s 68.7. This parity suggested a potentially low-scoring affair. Despite Loyola Marymount entering the game on a two-game losing streak, including a significant 82-47 defeat to Gonzaga, and struggling at home with only three wins in seven games from late November to late December, the Lions were favored by 1.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Nevertheless, the prediction favored San Francisco to cover the spread, reflecting confidence in their recent form and historical dominance over the Lions.
Women’s Dons Engage in a Spirited Battle with Santa Clara
On the women’s side, the San Francisco Dons (10-5) entered their January 8, 2026, home game against the formidable Santa Clara Broncos (13-4) with a three-game winning streak, looking to extend their strong start. The matchup at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center was anticipated to be a tight contest, and it delivered on that promise.
The Dons started strong, taking an early 9-2 lead with a 7-0 run, forcing Santa Clara to miss its first six shots. However, the Broncos quickly responded with an 8-0 run of their own, led by Maia Jones, to make it a 10-9 game. Santa Clara closed the first quarter with a 21-16 lead. San Francisco rallied in the second, scoring the first seven points to regain the lead. They held a four-point advantage midway through the period before Santa Clara, fueled by Aniya Hooker, went on a 7-0 run to retake the lead. The Broncos ultimately took a narrow 34-33 lead into halftime.
The back-and-forth continued into the third quarter, with San Francisco briefly taking a three-point lead. Santa Clara then launched a 9-2 run, pushing their lead to 53-49, maintaining a four-point advantage at 57-53 by the end of the quarter. The Dons tied the score early in the fourth quarter with four quick points, but a decisive 6-0 run by Santa Clara, featuring buckets from Jones and Sophie Glancey, gave them a game-high 11-point lead at the 2:14 mark. While Santa Clara didn’t score another field goal, they converted from the free-throw line to seal a 77-67 road victory. This result moved Santa Clara to 14-4 overall and 4-1 in the WCC, while San Francisco’s record shifted to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
Individually, Candy Edokpaigbe led the Dons with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Aina Cargol contributed 17 points and seven assists. The Dons struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 3-of-25 three-point attempts, compared to Santa Clara’s 7-of-21. For the Broncos, Maia Jones was the top scorer with 25 points, hitting three three-pointers and 10 free throws. Aniya Hooker tied her career high with 14 points, and Ashley Hawkins added 10 points and four assists. This defeat marked a tough end to San Francisco’s winning streak, but showcased their resilience against a strong opponent.
Pepperdine Men’s Basketball Prepares for San Francisco Clash
In other WCC action, the Pepperdine men’s basketball team (5-13, 0-5 WCC) faced a tough outing against San Diego (7-11, 2-3 WCC) on Thursday night, January 8, 2026, falling 83-63 at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Despite a game-high 18 points from Styles Phipps, who also recorded a career-high 12 free throws, and a spark from Luka Vudragovic off the bench with 12 points, the Waves couldn’t overcome San Diego’s efficient offense. Head coach Ed Schilling noted the team’s ‘ice cold shooting’ and inability to get key stops.
Following this defeat, Pepperdine was scheduled to return home on Saturday, January 10, to take on the San Francisco Dons at 5 p.m. from Firestone Fieldhouse. This upcoming game presents another WCC challenge for the Waves against a San Francisco team looking to maintain its strong conference start.
Catching the Action: Where to Watch
Fans looking to follow the intense college basketball action can find games broadcast across various platforms. NCAA Basketball matchups, including those featuring the San Francisco Dons, are often available through CBS Sports Network, CBS, and ESPN+ (as highlighted by CBS Sports and Bleacher Nation). For specific games, checking local listings or streaming services like ESPN+ for women’s college basketball provides access to live streams and original programming.
The early January 2026 WCC basketball schedule has underscored the competitive landscape for San Francisco’s teams. While the men’s squad aimed to extend its winning ways, the women’s team demonstrated tenacity in a close battle, highlighting the fine margins that define success in conference play. These early season tests are crucial indicators of a team’s potential, setting the tone for the remainder of their campaigns.