USF Athletics

No. 22 Bulls Host Arkansas State Friday

November 16, 2017

Matchup: No. 22 USF (2-0) vs. Arkansas State (1-1)
Date: Friday, Nov. 17
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Tampa, Fla. | Sun Dome Arena
Watch: BullsVision | LINK
Radio: AM 1040 | Bulls Unlimited (Darek Sharp & Brigid Merenda)
Tickets: 1-800-Go-Bulls | usfbullstix.com
Follow: Listen | Stats | Twitter
 
No. 22 Bulls Host Arkansas State Friday
 
TAMPA, NOV. 16, 2017 – The University of South Florida women's basketball team will celebrate its international flavor Friday, when the Bulls host Arkansas State. The game is set for 7 p.m. at USF Sun Dome Arena.
 
Fans can catch the game on GoUSFBulls.com via BullsVision for the first free broadcast of the season. Fans can also listen to the game online or on USF Bulls Unlimited (iHeart Radio).
 
No. 22 USF (2-0) looks to continue its winning ways Friday and open its season 3-0 for third time in the last six seasons. The Bulls jumped to 2-0 with wins over NCAA tournament staple LSU and Houston Baptist. Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) led the Bulls with 42 points in two games, including a season-high 26 points against HBU. Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) grabbed 20 rebounds and sits seven rebounds from 500 in her productive career. Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) inches closer to the program's first triple double after turning in 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, five steals against HBU.
 
The Bulls are averaging 75.5 points per game and are holding opponents to 49.0 points per game. USF is outscoring opponents by a margin of 26.5 points.
 
PROMOTIONS
Celebration of International Culture
In conjunction with USF's on-campus International Festival (iFest) initiative, the Bulls will host a celebration of International Culture at the game Friday night. Fans will be treated to a special concessions menu featuring foods from around the world.   
 
Coke Student Club
The Coke Student Club, located at Gate D, is back for the 2017-18 season. It will be open to students prior to the game with a Nacho Bar.
 
THE OPPONENT
Arkansas State (1-1) is coming off a thrilling one-point victory at Florida. The Red Wolves defeated the Gators, 70-69, in Gainesville Monday. Jada Ford led Arkansas State with a game-high 17 points. Akasha Westbrook leads the Red Wolves with 14.5 points per game while Peyton Martin adds 11.5 points and a team best 5.0 rebounds per game.
 
Friday will be the second meeting between USF and Arkansas State in program history. The Bulls defeated the Red Wolves, 78-59, in Jonesboro last season.
 
NOTABLES

• USF has started the season with a 2-0 record in five of the last six seasons.
• Maria Jespersen led the Bulls to a 2-0 opening weekend with 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Against LSU, the senior turned in 20 points and nine rebounds and shot 50 percent from the floor. Jespersen finished 3-for-4 from behind the arc. On Sunday, Jespersen turned in her first double-double of the year and tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds.
• Kitija Laksa became the 23rd player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. Laksa did it in 63 games, the second-fastest player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. All-time great, Jessica Dickson, reached the milestone in 56 games.
• In 48 home games since 2014, USF has compiled a 40-8 record at home, including a 21-5 record in The American.
• Kitija Laksa was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. Laksa is one of 20 candidates on the list for top shooting guard in the country.
• Maria Jespersen, has left a lasting impact on the national landscape as the USF senior was named to the 2018 Cheryl Miller Award watch list and the Katrina McClain Award watch list.
• USF was picked second behind defending league champion, UConn, in the preseason coaches' poll. 

Season tickets are available for purchase, along with three- and five-game flex plans. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com or by 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).
 
USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
 
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.
– #GoBulls –