TAMPA, DEC. 14, 2016 – The University of South Florida women's basketball team led by as much as 54-points Wednesday night, and set a new single game scoring record in a 129-80 dismantling of Saint Francis U. The Bulls improved to 8-0 on the year, matching the program's best start. 

The Bulls 129 points is the most points scored by any team in Division I this season. USF shot a season high 65.8 percent from the floor, converting 48 of 73 attempts. The 48 field goals made ties the USF single game record. Seven Bulls scored in double figures led by junior Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark). Jespersen played 27 minutes and collected 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. The Denmark native shot 60 percent (9-for-15), including a 42 percent from behind the arc (3-for-7).

Ariadna Pujol (Mataro, Spain) joined Jespersen in the twenties, scoring 21 points in 25 minutes. She added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Pujol shot an efficient 78 percent and was a perfect 2-for-2 from deep. She made eight trips to the charity stripe and finished 5-for-8.

Freshman Jazz Bond (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) followed with a career high 17 points, 11 points coming in the final two quarters. The newcomer played a season high 20 minutes. Classmate Dorottya Nagy (Pecs, Hungary) reached double-figures for the first-time Wednesday, notching 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Laura Ferreira (Lisboa, Portugal) and Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) each contributed 13 points while Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) added 12.

USF never trailed and led by as many as 54-points in the fourth quarter. Saint Francis U finished with 80 points, thanks to 19 three-pointers. The Red Flash shot 35 percent from deep, making 54 attempts from three-point range. 

Key Stats

54 – USF grabbed 54 rebounds and every player that saw time grabbed at least one rebound. USF outrebounded Saint Francis U 54-33, well above its season average margin of +13.9 entering Wednesday's contest.

21 – USF converted 21 of its 30 free throw attempts. The Bulls 30 trips to the charity stripe was a season high.

12 – The Bulls only committed 12 fouls, bringing their season total to 108, which ranks as in the top-five as the fewest fouls committed in the country.

Notables

Jespersen's double-double performance was the second of the season and the second of her career. Her previous double-double was against FIU when the junior turned in 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jesperen's 24 points is also a new career high.

The Bulls scored 100 points for the first time since dropping 108 points against UCF Jan. 5, 2016. The program's previous best of 126 points was set in 2008 against Grambling State.

The last time five-players scored in double-digits was Feb. 21, 2015 vs. Memphis.

The Bulls allowed more than 65 points for the first time this season.

Up Next

USF travels to Las Vegas Monday for a three-game road swing in the inaugural Play4Kay Tournament.  The Bulls will face Long Beach State Dec. 19.

To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's' basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).

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.

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