TAMPA, NOV. 30, 2016 – It's been eight years since the University of South Florida women's basketball team has made 15 three-pointers in a single game, and on Wednesday night, the Bulls drained 16 in their first 50-point victory since 2013. USF annihilated FIU 91-41 Wednesday night at the Sun Dome Arena.

The Bulls (5-0) shot an efficient 52 percent (16-of-31) from long-range, well above their season average of 40 percent prior to Wednesday's contest. Sharp shooter Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) turned in her third consecutive game with at least six three-pointers, knocking down 6-of-12 attempts. Laksa finished with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Senior Ariadna Pujol (Mataro, Spain) led the Bulls with 23 points, and made a career-high five three-pointers on seven attempts. The guard also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) collected her first double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jespersen was 3-of-7 from long range but shot 64 percent overall from the floor.

Junior Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) set a new program record 17 assists and only committed one turnover. Of those 17, 12 came in the second half, sparking a 20-0 Bulls' run.

The Bulls started slow and trailed FIU (1-5) for the first two minutes of the contest. A lay-up by Pujol followed by a Laksa jumper sparked the Bulls and USF never trailed again. USF's breakthrough quarter came in the third 10-minute frame. The Bulls scored 37-points, a single-quarter program record. USF made seven of its' 16 three-pointers during that time. Laksa went a perfect 4-for-4 from deep and 5-for-5 from the floor.

The Panthers were plagued by turnovers, committing 16 throughout the game. The Bulls held FIU to a season low 29 percent field goal percentage. Alexis Gordan led the Panthers with 15 points.

Key Stats

USF outrebounded FIU 48-23, which included 15 offensive rebounds. Every Bull that played grabbed at least one rebound, and five tallied at least four.

Notables

Flores surpassed USF legends Shantia Grace and Anedra Gilmore as the only USF Bulls to record 15-plus assists in a single game. Grace and Gilmore previously held the record with 14 assists (Grace – 2005 | Gilmore – 2004)

Flores' 17 assists are the most assists ever recorded in the American Athletic Conference. Leslie Vorpahl of Tulane set the previous mark of 15 on Nov. 12, 2016 against Grambling State.

USF's 16 three-pointers is the most three-pointers of any team in the American Athletic Conference this season. The top mark in conference history is 18 set by UConn at UC Davis on Nov. 14, 2014. The 16 three-pointers list second in AAC history.

The last time the Bulls had three-players score 20-plus points was Feb. 28, 2015 at UCF.

The Bulls have not allowed more than 65 points in a game this season.

Laksa has scored at least one three-pointer in nine consecutive games, dating back to last year.

USF has not lost at the Sun Dome Arena since Jan. 10, 2016 which is a streak of nine consecutive unbeaten games at home during the regular season.

Up Next

USF hits the road again Friday, Dec. 2 for a nonconference tilt at Butler. The Bulls will play in the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.   

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The Bulls return eight players from last season, and have signed six newcomers to the roster. American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Kitija Laksa will lead a squad full of international flavor that boasts nine players from around the world.  USF will look to extend its postseason streak to five consecutive seasons and return to the conference championship for the third time in as many years.

USF has made 12 postseason tournament appearances and had four NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 16 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to seven 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 280 games.

To purchase season tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.

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