TAMPA - The University of South Florida women's basketball team made short work of Florida Atlantic University on Thursday night en route to a dominating 80-46 win over the Owls at the Sun Dome.

FAU (2-6) scored the first basket of the game, then saw the Bulls (5-3) go on a quick 14-0 run over the next three-plus minutes to put the game out of reach for good, when Andrell Smith recorded one of the Bulls' 15 steals on the night and went the length of the court for a lay-up with 16:05 left in the half.

USF would lead by as many as 25 points in the first half and was never challenged as it took a 43-20 lead into the locker room at the break.

The Bulls came out in the second half and continued its attack pushing its lead to as many as 38 points, 76-38, with 3:06 left in the game despite playing the majority of the half with their reserves.

Smith would lead the way with a career-high 23 points while twin sister Andrea Smith added 18 points in the win. Akila McDonald led the way on the glass grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds in the win.

The Bulls dominated the post play against the Owls outscoring FAU 52-20 in the paint, and took advantage of 24 Florida Atlantic miscues leading to 29 points.

USF also distributed the ball well, led by Kaneisha Saunders' career-high nine assists, recording 27 assists on its 37 made field goals on the night.
  
The Bulls will now set their sights towards BIG EAST Conference play, which tips off on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. when two-time defending national champion - and current No. 1 ranked - Connecticut visits the Sun Dome for the league opener for both schools. That game will be the last game before USF's 10-day exam break.