TAMPA, JAN. 22 2017 –The University of South Florida's 14-game home winning streak came to an end Sunday in a 66-52 loss to No. 9 Louisville at Sun Dome Arena. The Bulls were outrebounded 44-23 in their first home loss since Jan. 10, 2016.

USF (15-3) was led by the Spanish duo of Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) and Ariadna Pujol (Mataro, Spain), each contributing 14 points. Flores finished 6-for-10 from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from behind the arc. Pujol just missed her second consecutive double-double, adding a team high seven rebounds and five steals. The pair played all 40 minutes.

The Cardinals (18-4) were led by Myisha Hines-Allen with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Louisville scored 22 second-chance points off 18 offensive rebounds, including 11 rebounds in the final two quarters.

Quotables

Head coach Jose Fernandez on the difference in rebounds:

“This week, we talked a lot about rebounding with our kids.  That is the one thing we have been stressing. How the game ended, is how the entire game went. They beat us to the glass. Here is the thing, we were at home; that shouldn't happen at home, or anywhere. When a shot goes up, you have got to be individually accountable and we weren't.”

Junior point guard Laia Flores on her offensive play:

“We knew that I was probably going to get open shots. Coach Fernandez told me to step up and shoot the ball, so that is what I did.”

Key Stats

21- The Bulls entered Sunday's contest with an 11.9 rebounding margin this season, which ranked fifth in the country, but were out rebounded by 21 this afternoon.

10– USF handled Louisville's defensive pressure, and only committed 10 turnovers. The Bulls' season low is nine. Conversely, USF forced 14 turnovers.

Notables

Pujol's five steals is a career high, and is the second most steals tallied by a Bull this year. Laia Flores collected six steals at Tulane (1/4/17).

Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark), Pujol and Flores have played all 40 minutes in a game a combined 10 times this season.  

The Bulls finish nonconference action with a record 11-2.

Up Next

No. 23/22 USF travels to SMU Wednesday for its first road game since Jan. 10. The Bulls will face the Mustangs for the only time this season in Moody Coliseum at 8 p.m. ET.

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.

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