| |
|
|
 |
|
If you weren't there ...
|
|
The University of South Florida women's basketball team could not contain the Providence offense and dropped its fourth game in the last five tries.
The Bulls were led by KaNeisha Saunders who used 19 second half points to finish with a career high 23 for the game. Leondra Doomes-Stephens also posted a career high with 22 points.
Senior Jessica Lawson rebounded from a scoreless effort against West Virginia on Jan. 20 and accounted for 10 points and 12 rebounds on the night.
|
| |
|
2 |
|
|
|
Providence
|
31 |
41 |
-- |
72 |
| USF |
22 |
40 |
-- |
62 |
| Scoring Leaders |
| Player |
FG-A
|
3FG-A
|
FT-A
|
TP
|
| Providence - Marondola |
6-11 |
2-3 |
10-10 |
24 |
| USF - Saunders |
8-17 |
1-4 |
6-7 |
23 |
| Rebounding Leaders |
| Player |
|
|
|
| Providence - Dorsey |
1 |
5 |
6 |
| USF - Lawson |
5 |
7 |
12 |
| Misc. Leaders |
| Player |
Steals
|
Assists
|
Blocks
|
| Providence - Roberts |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| USF - Saunders |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
|
|
TAMPA - The University of South Florida women's basketball team tried to get back on the winning track on Tuesday night when Providence visited the Sun Dome, however the Friars had other things in mind as they handed USF a 72-62 loss.
The Bulls could not respond from a 31-22 halftime deficit, as Providence extended its second half lead to as many as 17, 48-31, on a Chelsea Maradola jumper with 13:55 left in the game.
USF got a career high 23 points from KaNeisha Saunders as well as four assists and two rebounds.
Leondra Doomes-Stephens also recorded a career high in points and was one of three Bulls to score in double figures, as she finished with 22 points, as well as two assists and nine rebounds.
Senior Jessica Lawson responded from a scoreless game against West Virginia by recording a double-double, the 16th of her season, with 10 points and 12 rebounds on the night.
The Bulls got things started early, thanks to Lawson down low, as USF took an early 6-2 lead on the second of two made free throws by the sixth-year senior with 16:37 left in the half.
USF extended its early lead to 10-4 through the first 5:23 with six points from Lawson, all in the paint, but Providence adjusted and came back strong.
The Friars got three quick buckets to tie the game at 10-10, and would use that as part of a 21-6 run to take a 25-16 lead with 7:16 remaining in the opening half.
Both teams exchanged baskets and the Friars took a 31-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.
USF and Providence both came out in the second half, and put a focus on scoring inside the paint.
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor through the first five minutes of the second half, and Providence stretched its lead to 46-31 at the 14:14 mark.
The Friars used a 17-9 run to pull away from the Bulls and make it 48-31 with 13:52 remaining in the game.
USF was able to close the gap to eight points, 65-57 with 2:16 remaining on a running jumper by Doomes-Stephens, but Providence would hit their free throws down the stretch and held on to win, 72-62.
The Bulls will hit the road for their final regular season game of the year when they travel to Louisville to face the Cardinals on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. in the final women's basketball game to ever be played in historic Freedom Hall.
USF will then return home for its regular season home finale on March 1 at 7 p.m. when it faces DePaul.
Postgame Notes
-USF got a career high 23 points from KaNeisha Saunders as well as four assists and two rebounds.
-Leondra Doomes-Stephens also recorded a career high in points and was one of three Bulls to score in double figures, as she finished with 22 points as well as two assists and nine rebounds.
-Senior Jessica Lawson responded from a zero-point game against West Virginia by putting up a double-double, the 16th of her season, with 10 points and 12 rebounds on the night.
-The loss to Providence drops the Bulls all-time record against the Friars to 3-2. It was USF's first loss to Providence since a 61-49 setback on Jan. 15, 2008.
