USF Hosts UCF in War on I-4 Sunday

USF Hosts UCF in War on I-4 Sunday

TAMPA, JAN. 13, 2018 – The War on I-4 continues Sunday as the No. 25 USF women's basketball team hosts UCF in the first of two installments this season. The Bulls host the Knights at noon and the match-up will air in ESPNU.   
 
The War on I-4 rivalry series is in its second season and Sunday marks the first basketball match-up of the year. The winner of Sunday's game will earn three points in the series while another three points will be up for grabs in the pairs' second meeting in Orlando on Feb. 18.
 
The Bulls (13-4, 3-1) look to win two in a row after a commanding 89-73 road victory over Temple Wednesday. The Bulls boast one of the most consistent offenses in the country and are averaging 78.3 points per game. Led by junior sharp shooter Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia), the Bulls average 9.4 three-point field goals per game. Laksa is third in NCAA DI with 66 three-point field goals this season and has made 29 in the friendly confines of the Sun Dome.
 
PROMOTIONS
Dog Adoption Day
In the first event of its kind at USF, the Bulls are partnering with local shelters to help Tampa Bay dogs find their forever homes. Throughout the event, shelters and eligible dogs will be available for a meet and greet at Gate A.
 
Taste of Tampa
Special concessions menus will feature menu items from Tampa Bay.
 
Family Day
The team will be available for post-game autographs and meet and greets on the court.
 
THE OPPONENT
UCF (11-6, 3-1 The American) has three players averaging double-figures, led by Zakiya Saunders with 13.3 points per game. The Knights are 3-1 in The American, with wins over Temple, SMU and Wichita State.
 
The Bulls and Knights will meet for the 35th time in program history. The series dates back to 1973 and USF holds a 25-9 series advantage. The Bulls have won 19 of the last 20 meetings.
 
NOTABLES
  • In 53 games since 2014, USF has compiled a 44-9 record at home, including a 22-6 record in The American.
  • USF has taken care of the basketball throughout the season and averages just 11.6 turnovers per game, which rank fifth nationally.
  • Laia Flores leads the league in three different categories: assist-turnover ratio (3.89), assists (109) and assists per game (6.4). She ranks in the top 15 nationally in all three categories.
  • Maria Jespersen is 9 rebounds away from a tie for ninth on USF's career chart with Ezira Parsons (729 rebounds, 2003-05).
  • Kitija Laksa only needs 60 points to move into the top-10 of USF Career scoring records. The junior has 1,350 career points.
  • USF is currently receiving votes in the AP poll and is No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The Bulls started the season ranked No. 23/22 and peaked at No. 16 (AP – week 4) and No. 16 (Coaches – weeks 3-4). USF has been ranked in the coaches' poll every week and has received votes in every AP Poll. The program's highest ranking in both polls was in 2016, when the Bulls were ranked No. 15 (AP – Jan. 18 | Coaches – Jan. 19).
 
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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