Tampa, FL (February 16, 2006) ? The University of South Florida women's basketball team recorded its first-ever win over Marquette tonight as the Bulls won a critical BIG EAST Conference match up, 66-57, at the Sun Dome. The win was USF's first in 12 tries against the Golden Eagles.
Marquette (16-7, 7-5 BIG EAST) took its only lead of the game just 16 seconds into the contest on a lay up by Christina Quaye. The Bulls would then proceed to go on an 11-0 run to take a nine-point edge, a lead that would eventually be extended to 11, 15-4, on a lay up by All-America candidate - and the nation's leading scorer ? Jessica Dickson (Ocala, FL) with 13:16 left in the first half. Those two points would prove to be Dickson's only two of the first half.
The Bulls' Shantia Grace (Sarasota, FL) would carry USF (17-9, 7-6 BIG EAST) through the early going netting seven of the team's first 13 points.
The Golden Eagles would fight back and cut the lead to three, 17-14, with 8:29 left in the first stanza but couldn't get any closer the rest of the half as the Bulls led at the intermission 32-26.
USF came out in the second half and remained consistent offensively, however never led by more than eight and fewer than four for the first 10 minutes of the final stanza.
Marquette then stepped up its game a notch and used an 8-2 run to tie the game for the first time of the night at 50-all.
The Golden Eagles, however, would never take the lead the rest of the way despite cutting the USF lead to one twice in the final 5:30.
“This was a huge win for our team,” said USF head coach Jose Fernandez. “We didn't put any keys to the game up on the board in the locker room before the game. We just told the kids that our backs were against the wall, and that tonight was the most important game of the year. It was a must win. If we wanted to go to the NCAA Tournament we needed to win tonight. I think that the kids responded, I think that they played every possession. The difference between tonight and the Pittsburgh game was the last five minutes. We made plays tonight and made some key stops defensively.”
USF overcame a poor night from Dickson who shot just 4-17 from the field, including a 2-8 effort from behind the three-point arc; however she still ended up with 14 points. Dickson had missed the entire week of practice due to a sore tailbone suffered in the Pittsburgh game.
In all, the Bulls placed four players in double figures, led by Dickson and Rachael Sheats (Marietta, GA) who each scored 14 points apiece. Ezria Parsons (Bushnell, FL) and Grace each added 13 points in the win.
On the night, USF forced Marquette into 16 turnovers while committing a season-low seven. The Bulls took advantage of the Golden Eagles miscues recording 15 points off the miscues as opposed to just six for Marquette.
The Bulls will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 21 when it faces Louisville in Freedom Hall. That game can be seen live on College Sports Television (Dish Network channel 152 or Direct TV channel 610). In addition, the game can be heard live on WTBN-AM 570 & 910, or by logging on GoUSFBulls.com. Tom Krasniqi will handle the radio the play-by-play.
