By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
GREENVILLE, N.C., JAN. 2, 2016 - Courtney Williams' last-second jumper lifted No. 20/17 USF to a 61-59 triumph over East Carolina at Minges Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
USF (8-3, 1-0) improved to 2-1 in American Athletic Conference openers after holding off a late ECU charge. The Pirates went on an 8-0 run in the final minutes and I'Tiana Taylor's layup tied the game up with just 12 seconds remaining.
That set the stage for another dramatic victory by the Bulls and the Naismith Trophy candidate delivered. Williams knocked down a jumper near the free throw line with a second to go to help USF secure its first road win of the season.
Williams put together a solid, all-around performance with a game-high 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Fellow senior Alisia Jenkins posted her sixth double-double of the season 14 points and 14 rebounds to help USF finish with a 40-37 edge on the boards.
Maria Jespersen finished with nine points and Laura Ferreira added eight points as USF bounced back from a loss at No. 8 Mississippi State on Wednesday.
Jada Payne had a team-high 19 points and Taylor finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for ECU (6-9, 0-2). The Pirates scored 28 points off 18 USF turnovers in their first home game since an 84-57 win over Presbyterian on Nov. 20.
Catch the Bulls back at home Tuesday against rival UCF and Thursday, Jan. 7 against SMU. Both games are set for 7 p.m. starts at the Sun Dome. The Bulls finish up a three-game homestand against top-ranked UConn on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-GoBulls.
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.
