Syracuse, NY (January 30, 2007) ? The University of South Florida women's basketball team had seven days off to think about one of its worst losses of the season, a 73-48 setback to Pittsburgh on Jan. 20, before getting back to work today against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
Apparently after reflecting on their loss last week the Bulls didn't want a repeat performance as they defeated the Orange 78-61.
USF (15-5, 5-2 BIG EAST) started off the game sluggish once again on the offensive end of the floor hitting just 21.4 percent (3-14) from the field through the first 8:10 of the game. Of the Bulls' first 14 field goal attempts eight came from behind the three-point arc.
USF would trail 9-8 with 11:49 left before Shantia Grace (Sarasota, FL) gave the Bulls their first lead of the game on a trey just 20 seconds later. Syracuse's Fantasia Goodwin then scored two of her eight first half points on a lay up to knot the game again at 11-all on the next possession with 10:53 left on the clock.
The Bulls would then start to heat up using a 19-9 run over the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 36-26 advantage into the locker room at the intermission.
USF would end up shooting 39.5 percent (15-38) from the field in the first stanza while forcing Syracuse (8-13, 2-6 BIG EAST) into 13 first half miscues which led to 15 points. The Bulls would commit just six turnovers however the Orange would not score any points off the miscues.
Syracuse would open the second half scoring 14 of the first 21 points just 4:20 into the second stanza to cut the Bulls' lead to three, 43-40. The Bulls, however, would regroup and use its own 13-5 run over the next five minutes to extend the lead to 56-45 on a Nalini Miller lay up and free throw with 10:46 left in the contest.
Miller would then score on three straight possessions and Tristen Webb (Stone Mountain, GA) would hit her second field goal of the game to give USF its biggest lead of the contest, 72-53, with 6:35 left. The Orange would never be a factor the remainder of the way.
Miller had another huge outing finishing the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots in 39 minutes of action. She also had an assist, a steal and no turnovers in the win.
Miller's double-double was the fourth of the game, the third in her last four outings and the 13th of her career.
Grace added 22 points, a season best six rebounds, four assists and no miscues while also playing all but one minute.
Jessica Dickson (Ocala, FL) chipped in with 11 points and Stephanie Sarosi (Mims, FL) had her first big night since Dec. 20 vs. Jacksonville (11 points and 11 rebounds) scoring nine points and nine rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes of action.
As a team the Bulls finished the game hitting 41.1 percent (30-73) from the field and 80 percent (12-15) from the charity stripe in the win.
The Bulls have a quick turnaround returning to Tampa to face Georgetown on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Sun Dome. The game will be televised live on College Sports Television (CSTV) as part of the BIG EAST Conference's Game of the Week package. The contest can also be heard live on 860-AM WGUL with Tom Krasniqi handling the play-by-play.
For ticket information please call 1-800-GoBulls or log onto www.GoUSFBulls.com.
