TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2006) ? Six minutes into the University of South Florida's game with Stetson, senior forward Jessica Dickson (Ocala, FL) scored her fourth point of the game to set the Bulls' all-time scoring record, surpassing Wanda Guyton's 1,820 career total (1984-89).
Dickson ended the game with 13 points, setting the new record at 1,830 and helped the Bulls to a 95-52 win over Stetson. The win raised their record to 4-0. While the Hatters dropped to 0-4 on the year.
“It was great for Jessica to get the record tonight,” said USF Head Coach Jose Fernandez. “Everybody has been asking about her, when is she going to get the record, and now she has it and she can put it behind her and move on.”
After trailing by as many as four points in the first five minutes of the game, USF made a 9-0 run in four minutes to lead Stetson 25-13 with nine minutes remaining in the half. The Hatters fought to keep the score close, but the Bulls made a 14-4 run in the last three minutes of the half to take a 25-point lead going into the locker rooms.
Senior guard Rachael Sheats (Marietta, GA) and sophomore guard Shantia Grace (Sarasota, FL) each tallied 10 points in the first half while Dickson and Grace dished five assists apiece. Sheats had five steals before the intermission.
In the second period, USF kept Stetson at a distance, never allowing the Hatters within 18 points in the final 20 minutes of the game. USF led by as many as 45 points in the contest, 40 of which were off of turnovers.
The Bulls hit 44.0 percent of their field goals (37-84) while the Hatters hit 21-55 shots for a 38.2 percent clip. USF out rebounded Stetson 52-37 and forced the Hatters into 29 turnovers.
Sheats led the Bulls with 17 points (7-11 FG) and six steals while Dickson scored 13 points and made five assists during her record-setting game. Sophomore guard Jessica Jackson (Roswell, GA) found the rim from long range, hitting three treys on her way to 13 points.
Freshmen Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, FL) and Porche Grant (Oxon Hills, MD) each grabbed nine rebounds as senior Tristen Webb (Stone Mountain, GA) had five assists and four steals.
Grace, the BIG EAST Player of the Week (Nov. 19), had seven assists and 10 points in the fourth contest of USF's seven-game homestand.
See the Bulls in action this weekend as USF hosts the Best Western Roundball Classic Nov. 25-26 at the Sun Dome. The tournament opens with Massachusetts vs. Stephen F. Austin at noon on Saturday, followed by USF vs. St. Francis (NY) at 2 p.m. On Sunday the consolation game will be played at noon, followed by the championship game at 2 p.m.
