University of South Florida
Chattanooga
Jenkins Grabs USF Rebounding Record in Blowout Win
December 13, 2015 | Women's Basketball
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, DEC. 13, 2015 – Alisia Jenkins grabbed ahold of USF's career rebounding record as the No. 21/20 Bulls rolled past Chattanooga, 61-33, at the Sun Dome on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to posting eight points, Jenkins' 12 rebounds helped the Bulls dominate on the glass, 50-31, on a special day for the senior forward. Jenkins now has 1,080 career rebounds and passed the program's previous top total of 1,077 boards set by Wanda Guyton in 1989.
“She's meant a lot to our program, not only on the basketball court but in the community,” head coach Jose Fernandez said. “She's got a lot of games left to play in a USF uniform and has a really, really bright future.”
Also shining for 6-2 USF was Courtney Williams, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kitija Laksa finished in double figures for the second straight game and the fourth time this season with 12 points.
USF forced 17 turnovers in its best defensive performance of the season while Chattanooga (5-4) shot 26.5 percent from the field (13-for-49). The Bulls got their hands on nine steals and Jenkins, Laura Ferreira, Laia Flores and Maria Jespersen had two apiece.
“We stayed down and did a good job without fouling, and we did a good job on the glass,” Fernandez said. “This is something we've really been stressing and something we needed to get better at.”
USF heated up on the offensive end as the first half progressed and took a 29-17 lead into the break in the programs' seventh meeting. The Bulls now have a 4-3 edge in the series with the Mocs.
Chattanooga opened the game on a 9-2 run while USF started 0-for-14 from the field. Despite the slow start, the Bulls ended the first quarter tied, 9-9, after closing on a 7-0 run. Laksa scored five points during the stretch and her 3-pointer evened things up with 27 seconds remaining.
“You've to go stay composed,” Williams said. “Shots are not going to always fall. The only constant that you can keep is defense and that's what we tried to do.”
USF seized control of the game by outscoring Chattanooga, 20-8, in the second quarter and the defensive domination continued after the break.
Chattanooga went 4-for-14 from the field in the third quarter with four turnovers while the Bulls kept up their steady play. Following a Laksa 3-pointer, Williams' layup pumped the lead up to 44-21 and USF had a 20-point advantage heading into the final period.
Chattanooga scored just five points in the fourth quarter, going 2-for-13 from the field and 0-for-3 from long range.
“We just buckled down,” Williams said. “We've been at practice a lot just focusing mainly on defense. It's good to have that transfer back over to the court.”
Jenkins tied and passed Guyton's rebounding total during the fourth quarter and now has two important records to her credit.
“I feel very, very happy,” Jenkins said. “I've been wanting to get it since I came here. I broke the rebounding record at my high school, so it's nice to break the rebound record here.”
The Bulls will chase after their fourth consecutive win at Northern Colorado on Tuesday at 9 p.m. USF returns to the Sun Dome to host Oklahoma State on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com.
