Matchup: USF (8-0) vs. Long Beach State (7-4)
Date: Monday, Dec. 19
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Las Vegas | T-Mobile Arena
Watch: bd Global
Radio: AM 1040 (Mike Lefko)
Follow: Listen | Stats | Twitter

TAMPA, DEC. 18, 2016 – The University of South Florida women's basketball team will play in the inaugural Play4Kay Tournament in Las Vegas this week. The three-day event will take place at the brand-new T-Mobile Arena.

USF (8-0) looks to extend its win streak to nine straight games, and set a new best season start in program history. The Bulls are fresh off a 129-point performance Wednesday against Saint Francis U. 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. 

Sophomore Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) continues to lead the country with 4.25 three-point field goals per game. As a team, the Bulls average 10.3 three-pointers per game, which ranks fifth in Division I.

The Tournament

The eight-team women's tournament features seven teams that won 20+ games last season and supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, an organization that supports funding for women's cancer research.

Opening Round Games

Monday, Dec. 19

12:30 p.m. PT – USF (8-0) vs. Long Beach State (7-4)

3:00 p.m. PT – New Mexico State (7-3) vs. Quinnipiac (7-2)

5:30 p.m. PT – Oklahoma State (8-0) vs. Santa Clara (4-4)

8:00 p.m. PT – UNLV (8-1) vs. Oregon State (7-1)

Consolation games will be played Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m./3:00 p.m. followed by the semifinals at 5:30 p.m./8:00 p.m. Wednesday's championship game will be at 8:00 p.m. PT.

USF and the Long Beach State will meet for the first time in program history. LBSU is currently riding a four-game win streak, most recently defeating Biola 76-48 on Friday.

Notables

·      The Bulls are 2-0 in neutral site contests this season.   

·      The Play4Kay Tournament is the second multi-team event USF has played in this season. The Bulls went 2-0 in the Junkanoo Jam earlier this season, claiming the Lucaya Division.

·      USF is 8-0 for the third time in program history, the second under head coach Jose Fernandez. The Bulls have started 8-0 in 1976-77, 2012-13 and 2016-17.

·      The Bulls' RPI is currently 22, and they are one of 11 remaining undefeated teams in the country. The list includes No. 1 UConn, No. 4 Maryland, No. 5 Mississippi State, No. 14 West Virginia, No. 15 Colorado, and No. 24 Virginia Tech.

·      The Bulls 129 points versus Saint Francis U (Dec. 14) is the second-most points scored by any team in Division I this season. Baylor turned in 140 points the next day, Dec. 15 against Winthrop.

·      In her 36th game as a Bull, Laksa reached 500 career points, joining Jessica Dickson, Wanda Guyton and Angie Snyder as the fastest players in program history to reach the mark. Dickson reached 500 points her freshman season in 29 games, while it took Guyton 32 games. Laksa tied Snyder with 36 games, both reaching 500 points as sophomores.

·      The Bulls have only let one team score more than 65 points in a single game this season.

·      USF's 16 three-pointers against FIU (Nov. 30) are 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 The American history.

·      USF is the only team in NCAA Division I with nine international players on its roster.

USF women's basketball season tickets, flex plans and single game tickets are on sale now by visiting USFBullsTix.com or calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.

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.

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

– #GoBulls –