TAMPA, FEB. 27, 2016 – The University of South Florida women's basketball team sent its seniors out in style at Sun Dome Arena as it battled past Temple, 76-62, on Saturday. On top of the seniors being honored as the most successful class in program history, the Bulls clinched the No. 2 seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament Championship.
“We had a great atmosphere here in the Dome for the final home game,” said head coach Jose Fernandez. “We knew how important this game was for both teams. The past two years, we've been picked second in the league, and we've gotten everybody's best punch this season.”
Seniors Shalethia Stringfield (Jacksonville, Fla.), Alisia Jenkins (Statesboro, Ga.) and Courtney Williams (Folkston, Ga.) shined in the Bulls' 21st win of the season, combining for 54 points and 28 rebounds. The trio also went 17-for-17 at the charity stripe, including a crucial 9-for-9 in the second half.
“I thought our seniors changed the game, especially Alisia Jenkins. She hit those two big threes, and that changed things. Courtney Williams has been steady all year but Shalethia Stringfield, what she's done with our guys injured, her production has increased. We needed all three of them today.”
Stringfield turned in a career performance, leading the Bulls with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in her second start this season.
“It is a great feeling to come close to my career high, but it was a team effort,” said Stringfield. “Without them, I wouldn't be able to score that much. The atmosphere had a huge impact, and to think it was my last home game, it's sad.”
Jenkins notched her 52nd career double-double, her eighth this season, just missing another 20/20 performance with 18 points and 16 rebounds. USF's career rebounding leader also added three blocks, tying her season high.
In her last game at the Dome, Williams added 13 points despite being double and triple teamed throughout the game, which led to a career-high eight assists. Williams pushed for the program's second triple-double, adding seven rebounds.
“I think it was very emotional,” Williams said. “We were so excited to play in front of all our family and friends, and then to have our student section and the regulars come out, it was amazing. It was great, honestly, it was great.”
The first quarter played out much like the battle for the regular season runner-up should. USF scored first, on a beautiful play from Williams to Jenkins, but Temple answered on with a 5-0 run. USF picked up two quick fouls, and Temple took an 8-6 advantage. The Owls kept running, and a 7-0 run put Temple up 12-6, shooting 50 percent heading into the first media timeout. The Bulls battled back, thanks to the senior trio on the court, who combined for 15 points and ended the quarter with a 21-18 edge.
USF's defense shined in the second frame, holding the Owls to two baskets in their first eight possessions, sparking an 8-2 run for the Bulls. USF led 33-27, taking the largest lead of the first half. Back-to-back lay-ups by Feyonda Fitzgerald cut the Owls' deficit to two, but USF answered on an 8-0 run, sparked by Laura Ferreira's (Lisboa, Portugal) only three-pointer of the game. USF ended the half ahead, 41-31.
The third quarter reflected the Bulls' loss at Temple, as the Owls cut the 10-point deficit to three, holding the Bulls scoreless for the first four minutes of the third quarter. The Bulls' faithful remained on their feet until Jenkins drained a three-pointer from the top of the arc. The senior, who had collected four three-pointers in her entire career before Saturday's game, missed a lay-up, got her own rebound and then in the same possession knocked down a second three-point shot, bringing her career total to six three-pointers.
“I just read who was on me,” said Jenkins. “They had their big on me, and she normally just stays in the paint, so I thought why not shoot it. So I shot it.”
Jenkins put the Bulls up nine, halfway through the third quarter and initiated a 9-2 run. USF kept pushing the offense forward, and ended the quarter, 58-46.
In the fourth quarter, USF never led by less than 10 points, and Williams' jumper extended the lead to 72-54 with 2:59 remaining. In the final minute, all five seniors were on the floor as Micah Kroll (Tampa, Fla.) and Laura Marcos Canedo (Salamanca, Spain) entered the game.
The Bulls have a quick turnaround before facing UConn on Big Monday in Gampell Pavillion. USF will face a top-15 team for the fifth time this season and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Bulls continue to climb in the polls, and have reached their highest rankings in program history. USF has been ranked as highly as No. 15 in the Associated Press poll and No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll this season; both are the highest rankings in program history. USF has appeared in both polls every week and placed as highly as No. 11 on some ballots.
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 –
