TAMPA, DEC. 22, 2015 – The USF women's basketball team matched its highest ranking in program history Tuesday in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Bulls, previously No. 19, jumped two spots to No. 17 in the Top-25, matching their Week 3 ranking from Nov. 23.
USF (7-2), ranked No. 12 in the NCAA RPI rankings and No. 20 in the Associated Press Top-25, collected a statement win Sunday, downing previously undefeated Oklahoma State 68-46 in the Sun Dome. The Bulls are in the middle of a four-game win streak and are 7-0 at home this season. USF averages just over 75 points per game and are outscoring opponents by 15 points per game. The Bulls defensive effort has improved since their loss at St. John's, and they are holding opponents to less than 55 points per game in the past four match-ups.
The Green and Gold are led by senior Courtney Williams with 24.3 points per game and Alisia Jenkins, who averages 14.3 rebounds per game. Both rank third nationally, and USF is the only team with two players in the top-five of both statistical categories.
The USA TODAY Sports women's basketball coaches poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of head coaches at Division I schools. The panel is chosen by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The members represent each of the 32 Division I conferences that receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Each coach submits a Top 25 with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24, and so on down to one point for 25th.
No. 20/17 USF returns to action in its final nonconference match-up before league play. The Bulls will face No. 8/8 Mississippi State (10-1) in the SEC/AAC Challenge Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. The game will air on the SEC Network and be available on the WatchESPN app.
Jose Fernandez's 2015 women's basketball team returns all five starters, including All-American Candidate Courtney Williams, from a team that posted a 27-8 (15-3 American) record in 2014-15 and finished the season in the top 25 rankings. The squad finished second behind eventual NCAA champion UConn in the American Athletic Conference and made an exciting NCAA Tournament run that saw USF top LSU in front of 5,560 fans in the Sun Dome in the NCAA regional round.
In 2015-16, the Bulls will be hosting their toughest schedule yet, including the opening rounds of the Preseason WNIT, along with perennial powers Penn State, Chattanooga, Oklahoma State and UConn making trips to Tampa. Season tickets, starting at just $65, are available for purchase online at USFBullsTix.com, by phone at 1-800-GoBulls or in person at the Gate B ticket office of the Sun Dome, with single game tickets going on sale in late September.
USF has made 11 postseason tournament appearances and had three NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 15 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to six 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 260 games.
– #GoBulls –
