GAME 17 | TUE., JAN. 3, 2023 | 5 P.M. | TAMPA, FLA. | YUENGLING CENTER
Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | Game Notes
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Online: ESPNU                                          
Angel Gray (PxP), Helen Williams (Color)
Audio: Bulls Unlimited (TuneIn App/GoUSFBulls.com)
Darek Sharp (PxP), Brigid Merenda (Color)
Live Stats: GoUSFBulls.com
Series: South Florida leads the series, 16-3
Twitter Updates: @USFWBB
Tickets: (800) Go-Bulls; USFBullsTix.com
 
RV/RV USF BULLS | 12-4 (1-0, AAC)
Last Game: Dec. 30 at Tulane, W, 69-61
Next Game: Jan. 7 at Wichita State, 3 p.m. ET
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez
Alma Mater: FIU, 1994
Career Record: 428-289 (23rd season)
at South Florida: Same
 
TEMPLE OWLS | 6-7 (1-0, AAC)
Last Game: Dec. 30 vs. Memphis, W, 80-69
Next Game: Jan. 7 at Cincinnati, 2 p.m.
Head Coach: Diane Richardson
Alma Mater: Frostburg State, 1982
Career Record: 86-73 (Sixth season)
at Temple: 6-7 (First season)
 
TAMPA (January 2, 2023) – The University of South Florida women's basketball team returns to the Yuengling Center on Tuesday for the first time since Dec. 17 to face Temple in its American Athletic Conference home opener. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. (ESPNU). The game will mark the Bulls' annual We Back Pat Night to help raise awareness for effective treatments, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
 
The Green and Gold, who are 12-4 on the year and 1-0 in The American, are looking for their third-straight win and sixth win in their last eight games. The Bulls are coming off a 69-61 win over Tulane on Dec. 30 in New Orleans in their American Athletic Conference lid-lifter.
 
Elena Tsineke has taken over the team lead in scoring, but only slightly, averaging 17.1 points per game following her season-high 25-point performance against the Green Wave. Right behind is Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu netting 17.0 points per outing after her 19-point, 13-rebound effort against Tulane. Fankam Mendjiadeu is also leading the Bulls and The American – and is fifth in the nation – in rebounds per game grabbing 12.0 boards per contest.
 
Sammie Puisis is third on the team averaging 15.5 points per contest followed by Carla Brito who is just shy of double-digits, at 9.1 points per game along with 6.2 rebounds per night.
 
Temple comes into its game against the Bulls with a 6-7 record following its 80-69 win over Memphis on Dec. 30. The Owls have won four of their last six games after starting the year 1-5. 
 
Aleah Nelson leads three players in double figures, averaging 15.8 points per game and is followed by Tiarra East and Jasha Clinton who are netting 12.0 and 11.3 points, respectively. Tarriyonna Gary is just shy of double-digits averaging 9.5 points per game.
 
East is also leading Temple on the glass, grabbing 6.1 rebounds per game.
 
Following its game against Temple, South Florida will head back on the road, and to America's Heartland, to face Wichita State on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
 
The Bulls will return to the Yuengling Center, after they meet the Shockers, for a three-game in a four-game stretch beginning on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. against Memphis (ESPN+) for the first of back-to-back home games.
 
Can't make it out to catch the Bulls? Most road games, and all USF home games, not televised nationally, will be aired live on ESPN+. Subscriptions for the ESPN+ app are $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually and can be packaged with Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. A step-by-step guide for subscribing to ESPN+ is located here.
 
About USF Women's Basketball
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
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.