By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - The Bulls were unable to hand Villanova its first Big East loss Saturday in a game that wasn't decided until the very end of regulation at The Pavilion.

Devon Kane was fouled with three tenths of a second remaining and her free throws were the difference in the Wildcats' 52-49 win over the Bulls.

USF (12-5, 1-3) had a shot at winning it in regulation, but Andrea Smith missed a jumper with eight seconds remaining. Taylor Holeman grabbed the rebound and the Wildcats won it seconds later. Kane attempted a 3-pointer when Sasha Bernard hit Kane on the hand when defending the shot from about 25 feet away on the right wing.

"We have to move on and focus on Seton Hall. It's tough. You have to move on," USF head coach Jose Fernandez said.

Andrell Smith powered USF with a game-high 20 points but fouled out with 5:18 remaining in the game. Andrea Smith shook off an 0-for-12 performance in the first half to post 10 points. Inga Orekhova also added 10 points, while freshman forward Alisia Jenkins continued her impressive season with nine points and nine rebounds.

USF shot 26 percent against a Villanova defense that came in allowing just 48 points per game.

"We went in some big-time lulls offensively and that just hurts you," Fernandez said.

Laura Sweeney scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help Villanova (15-2, 4-0) win for the sixth straight time.

USF finishes up its two-game road trip 7 p.m. Tuesday at Seton Hall. The Bulls are back in the Sun Dome Saturday, Jan. 26 to take on Marquette at 6 p.m.