No. 22 Women's Basketball Hosts Butler

No. 22 Women's Basketball Hosts Butler

Matchup: No. 22 USF (3-0) vs. Butler (3-0)
Date: Monday, Nov. 20
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

TAMPA, NOV. 19, 2017 – No. 22 USF will close out its four-game opening home stand Monday night when it hosts Butler at Sun Dome Arena. In a battle of the unbeaten, the Bulls look to improve to 4-0 for the second time in as many seasons. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
 
Fans can catch the game on GoUSFBulls.com via BullsVision, a free broadcast of the game. Fans can also listen to the game online or on USF Bulls Unlimited (iHeart Radio).
 
No. 22 USF (3-0) will play at Sun Dome Arena for the fourth time since opening the season Nov. 10, but will not return to the Dome again until Dec. 15. The Bulls are averaging 83.0 points per game and are holding opponents to 51.0 points per game. USF is outscoring opponents by a margin of 32 points. Sophomore Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) leads the Bulls in scoring with 22.3 points per game which rank third in The American.
 
Laura Ferreira (Lisboa, Portugal) has been a force on the boards and averages 11.7 rebounds per game, which rank second on the league. Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) continues to quarterback the Bulls offense and her 7.3 assists per game not only lead the conference but rank 25th in NCAA Division I.
 
PROMOTIONS
Taste of Tampa Bay
Throughout the season, USF will host special Taste of Tampa Bay events. Monday's menu will feature empanadas and other delectable local treats.
 
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 special food items and activities
 
THE OPPONENT
Butler (3-0) enters Monday's game 3-0. This is the first time since 1990 the Bulldogs have opened the season 3-0.  Butler has earned victories over Austin Peay, Murray State and Lipscomb. All three wins were by margins of 12-plus. The Bulldogs are led by Whitney Jennings and Tori Schickel, each averaging 19.3 points per game. Schickel also leads the team with 10.3 rebounds per game.
 
USF and Butler will meet for the fourth time in program history. The Bulls have never lost to the Bulldogs and are 1-0 in Tampa. The pair last met in Indianapolis a season ago and despite trailing by one at the half, USF won the match-up 74-59.
 
NOTABLES
  • USF starts the season at 3-0 for the third time in the last six seasons. The Bulls were 3-0 in 2016-17, and continued the winning streak to 8-0 before losing a game. The Bulls also started the season 3-0 in 2012-13.  
  • In 49 home games since 2014, USF has compiled a 41-8 record at home, including a 21-5 record in The American.
  • Freshman Shae Leverett turned in a breakout performance in the Bulls' 98-55 win over Arkansas State. Leverett recorded her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Leverett was perfect from the floor, finishing 6-for-6 in only 19 minutes of action.
  • Senior Maria Jespersen inches closer to 1,000 career points. The forward enters Monday's match with 902 career points.
  • 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.
  • 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 –

 
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