By KY-SHON HEPBURN
SPECIAL TO GOUSFBULLS.COM

USF kept it close by the break before falling, 77-62, to No. 3 UConn on Saturday in Hartford, Conn.

Caitlin Rowe led all USF scorers with a career-high 20 points on 4-of-7 shooting from behind the arc.  Inga Orekhova added 16 points (five 3-pointers) and Jasmine Wynne extended her double-digit scoring streak to 18 games with 13 points. 

“(Rowe) stepped up,” said head coach Jose Fernandez.

USF (12-10, 4-4) trailed the Huskies by just three points, 36-33, at the half, the smallest halftime deficit for the Bulls in 10 meetings with the Huskies.

The 36 points at the half was the least points the Huskies have had at the break in a game aginst the Bulls in the matchup's history.

“We were down three at the half and we gave ourselves a chance,” Fernandez said. “We're a good basketball team.”

UConn had a small lead in the second half before closing the door on the Bulls by going on a 17-5 run.

Tiffany Hayes had 33 points for the Huskies to help extend their winning streak to seven games.

USF forced 18 turnovers but missed four free throws down the stretch, which really hurt their chances late.

Despite the loss, the Bulls were able to outshoot the seven-time national champions from behind the arc thanks to five three points from Orekhova and four from Rowe, a career high.

The game against No. 3 Connecticut marked the fifth game in a seven game stretch that USF has faced a ranked opponent.

“This game shows our guys that we can compete, fight and prepare with the best in the country.”

The Bulls return home Wednesday night to face West Virginia at 7 at the USF Recreation Center.