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GAME 11 | SUN., DEC. 11 | 2 P.M. | RALEIGH, N.C. | JAMES T. VALVANO ARENA AT REYNOLDS COLISEUM
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Online: Watch ESPN ($)/ACC Network                                            
Ben Shulman (PxP), Debbie Antonelli (Color)
Audio: Bulls Unlimited (TuneIn App/GoUSFBulls.com)
Darek Sharp (PxP)
Live Stats: GoUSFBulls.com
Series: NC State leads, 0-1
Twitter Updates: @USFWBB
Tickets: GoPack.com
 
RV/RV USF BULLS | 8-2
Last Game: Dec. 2 at No. 22/18 Texas, W, 70-65
Next Game: Dec. 14 vs. Marshall, 11 a.m.
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez
Alma Mater: FIU, 1994
Career Record: 424-287 (23rd season)
at USF: Same
 
NO. 8/10 NC STATE WOLFPACK | 8-1
Last Game: Dec. 5 at Georgia, W, 65-54
Next Game: Dec. 15 vs. Davidson, 8 p.m.
Head Coach: Wes Moore
Alma Mater: Johnson University, 1984
Career Record: 788-239 (34th season)
at NC State: 230-70 (10th season)
 
By Joey Johnston
 
TAMPA (Dec. 10, 2022) — For the USF women's basketball team, it's another rigorous road challenge. But the Bulls also know it's something else — a great opportunity.
 
The Bulls (8-2) take on the No. 8-ranked NC State Wolfpack (8-1) on Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C., marking the fourth consecutive game in which USF has faced a top 25-ranked opponent.
 
"I keep saying it, but to be the best, you have to play the best,'' USF coach Jose Fernandez said. "We play this type of schedule for a reason. We feel we have one of the best programs in the country and these are the types of games you have to play — and have to win — in order to achieve your goals.''
 
USF is coming off a 70-65 road victory against the No. 22-ranked Texas Longhorns, an eye-catching performance that snapped a two-game losing streak. If the Bulls can follow that up with a win against the nation's No. 8 team, the pollsters are certain to take notice.
 
But USF guard Sammie Puisis said rankings aren't the team's priority.
 
"It's a number by your name and it's great to have, no question about it,'' Puisis said. "The real priority is getting yourself in position for the best possible seed at the NCAA Tournament. At the end of the season, big road wins against quality competition really help you out.
 
"We want to go places where the program hasn't gone before. We want to be the first USF team to get into the second week (of the NCAA Tournament) and the Sweet 16. We have to keep working to get there, but we're off to a pretty good start.''
 
The same could be said for Puisis, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Florida State, who is USF's leading scorer (17.0 points per game) and third-leading rebounder (4.4). She's shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range and she hasn't missed a free-throw attempt (26-for-26).
 
Senior guard Elena Tsineke is averaging 16.7 points, while shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point range. Center Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu is averaging a double-double (15.0 points, 11.5 rebounds), while Carla Brito, a freshman from Spain, has provided an additional spark (10.0 points, 6.6 rebounds) in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Aerial Wilson (4.1 assists per game) runs the show at point guard.
 
"I like this team,'' Brito said. "We haven't played our best yet, but we have a lot of players who can contribute. The potential for big things is there.''
 
"It's a long season with the ups and downs, like most season,'' Tsineke said. "Our goal is to win every game we play. If we strive to play our best every time out there, we can beat a lot of teams in the country.''
 
The Wolfpack will pose a formidable challenge.
 
Following a 91-69 defeat at UConn on Nov. 20, the Wolfpack have won three straight games, including road victories at No. 10 Iowa (94-81, when NC State weathered a 45-point outburst by Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark) and Georgia (65-54).
 
The ultra-balanced NC State lineup features a trio of double-digit scorers — 5-5 junior guard Diamond Johnson (13.9 points per game), 6-2 junior forward Jada Boyd (10.9) and 6-foot senior forward Jake Brown-Turner (10.6).
 
"NC State is really, really good,'' Fernandez said. "But we feel we're really good too. It's another big-time test, but that's what this time of year is all about.''
 
About USF Women's Basketball
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South Florida recorded its 10^th 20-win season during the 2021-22 campaign while playing in its sixth American Athletic Conference championship game in its nine years in the conference. The Bulls achieved their highest national ranking of the season when it checked in at No. 13 in the Nov. 30 Associated Press Top 25 Poll, and advanced to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in the last nine years.
 
USF has made 17 postseason tournament appearances and had eight NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez's 22 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 10 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, and has won over 400 career games. Fernandez was named a finalist for the WBCA and semifinalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Awards. He was also tabbed the 2021 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign.
 
In 2021-22, the Bulls had three players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (All-Conference First Team), Bethy Mununga (All-Conference Second Team) and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (All-Conference Second Team).
 
In addition, Tsineke and Mununga were named to the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team.