Orekhova, Jenkins Post Career Nights in Rout
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, FEB. 25, 2014 – Super performances from
Inga Orekhova and
Alisia Jenkins helped sharp-shooting USF roll past Memphis, 91-68, and strengthen its NCAA resume before a crowd of 1,276 at the Sun Dome on Tuesday night.
Orekhova, a senior guard, scored a career-high 33 points and tied her career high with six 3-pointers in the second consecutive 30-plus point performance by a Bull.
Orekhova went 10-for-13 from the field while dishing out a career-best seven assists in the Bulls' third straight victory.
"We're definitely going to miss her," head coach
Jose Fernandez said. "I wish I'd get to coach her more, but it's good she's going to finish her career in these types of games and having this type of night here at home."
Jenkins went 9-for-11 from the field on the way to a career-high 21 points and the sophomore forward from
Statesboro, Ga., added a career-high 18 rebounds after grabbing 15 on the defensive end.
"Jenkins had a special night," Fernandez said.
USF (16-11, 11-5) also lit up the floor as a whole, shooting 60.7 percent from the floor while outscoring Memphis, 46-26, in the paint to help secure the season series sweep of the Tigers (11-17, 4-12).
"This is the time of the year that you want to be playing your best basketball," Fernandez said.
Orekhova (
Sevastapol, Ukraine) already surpassed her season high of 20 points she scored in USF's 71-58 win at Memphis on Feb. 5 with 23 points in the first half of Tuesday's game, which helped the Bulls head into the break with a 48-33 lead.
Orekhova scored eight of USF's first 10 points and knocked down five of her first seven 3-point attempts while going 6-for-8 from the field in the opening period.
Orekhova made two 3-pointers during USF's 20-8 run to close the half and beat the halftime buzzer with her fifth field goal from long range.
The Bulls as a whole shot 58.6 percent in the first half, while Jenkins worked her way up to eight points and nine rebounds.
Tamara Taylor (St. Petersburg) had nine points after connecting on one of USF's seven 3-pointers.
USF put any Memphis comeback chances to rest by shooting 63 percent in the second half and now the Bulls turn their attention to a very important matchup against SMU 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sun Dome. The program will honor its seniors in the final home game of the regular season and the Bulls are still fighting for seeding in the upcoming American Athletic Conference tournament. Â
A win Saturday would give the Bulls, who currently rank fourth in the league, the ability to control their own destiny heading into the regular season finale March 3 at Rutgers, which is currently third in the conference standings.
"If we protect our home floor it's going to come down to Monday night I think on who makes the NCAA tournament and who doesn't. That third seed is crucial," Fernandez said.
Purchase tickets for Saturday's home finale
HERE.
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