USF Athletics

No. 17 USF Hosts Houston Wednesday

February 20, 2018

TAMPA, FEB. 20, 2018 – The 17^th-ranked University of South Florida women's basketball team has a chance to solidify the No. 2 seed in the American Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday. The Bulls host Houston at 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome.
 
The Bulls (22-5, 11-2 The American) have won seven straight games and own a two-game buffer in the league standings. USF returned to the top 20 in both the AP (18) and USA Today Coaches (17) polls this week. The Bulls look to improve their already robust NCAA tournament resume with their ninth top-100 win this season.
 
In the Bulls' seven-game streak, they are averaging 74.7 points per game and are holding their opponents to just 57.7 points per game. Since Jan. 28, only one team has scored more than 65 points and USF averages a 17-point scoring margin. Even more impressive is the Bulls' plus-15.1 rebounding margin. USF has averaged 47.9 rebounds per game during its win streak.
 
PROMOTION
The Bulls will wear special shooting shirts for their annual "We Back Pat" game. USF supports the Pat Summitt Foundation and its efforts in raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease. The Pat Summitt Foundation is fighting Alzheimer's disease with a comprehensive approach, awarding grants to organizations that provide research to treat, prevent, cure, and ultimately eradicate Alzheimer's.
 
THE OPPONENT
Houston (20-7, 9-4 The American) received three votes in the latest USA Today Coaches poll and has won five of its last six games. The Cougars' only loss since Jan. 27, was an 83-77 setback at Tulsa Feb. 10. Houston is led by Jasmyne Harris, one of four players averaging double-figures. Harris averages 20.4 points per game and is shooting 43 percent this season. The Cougars are 7-5 on the road this season.    
 
The Bulls and Cougars will meet for the 19th time in program history. The pair first met in 1997 and USF owns an 12-6 series record. The Bulls are 5-0 since joining The American, including a 79-50 victory in Houston last season.   
 
NOTABLES

• The Bulls are 11-1 at home this season, including a 5-1 record at home in The American. Since 2014, the Bulls are 49-9 at the Sun Dome. USF boasts a 26-6 all-time record in The American at the Dome.
• USF's best finish in The American was a 15-3 (.833) mark in 2014-15. The American shifted to a 16-game schedule in 2016-17 season and the Bulls finished 11-5 (.688).
• Kitija Laksa has made 31-consecutive free throws and leads the all divisions, men and women with a 97.6 free throw percentage this season. The junior has only missed two free throws in 27 games (83-of-85).
• Maria Jespersen has a league-best 15 double-doubles this season.
• Laia Flores leads the league in three different categories: assist-turnover ratio (3.71), assists (167) and assists per game (6.2). She ranks in the top 20 nationally in all three categories.
• Throughout the month of February, the Bulls will compete in a national fundraiser for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. For every free throw made, fans can pledge funds toward the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Bulls current free throw tally is 91 made free throws.
• USF is currently No. 18 in the AP poll and is No. 17 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 sixth consecutive 20-win season in an 84-65 romp of No. 13 Ohio State. This is the ninth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all nine 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team holds the 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 –