GAME 29 | SAT., FEB. 18, 2023 | 4:30 P.M. | TAMPA, FLA. | YUENGLING CENTER
Watch Live | Listen Live | Live Stats | Tickets
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Online: ESPN+ ($)                                    
Leah Secondo (PxP), Anne O'Neil (Color)
Audio: Bulls Unlimited (TuneIn App/GoUSFBulls.com)
Darek Sharp (PxP), Brigid Merenda (Color)
Live Stats: GoUSFBulls.com
Series: South Florida leads the series, 15-1
Twitter Updates: @USFWBB
Tickets: (800) Go-Bulls; USFBullsTix.com
 
RV/23 USF BULLS | 23-5 (12-1, AAC)
Last Game: Feb. 15 at Central Florida, W, 73-44
Next Game: Feb. 22 vs. Tulsa, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Jose Fernandez
Alma Mater: FIU, 1994
Career Record: 439-290 (23rd season)
at South Florida: Same
 
SMU MUSTANGS | 15-8 (6-5, AAC)
Last Game: Feb. 15 at Tulane, L, 52-50
Next Game: Feb. 22 at Wichita State, 6 p.m.
Head Coach: Toyelle Wilson
Alma Mater: Manhattan, 2003
Career Record: 84-66 (Fifth Season)
at SMU: 15-17 (Second Season)
 
TAMPA (February 17, 2023) – The University of South Florida women's basketball team returns home for its final two home games of the season, beginning on Saturday when the Bulls face SMU at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+). This will be the second meeting between the schools in the last two weeks with the Green and Gold defeating the Mustangs, 65-63, on Feb. 4 in Dallas.
 
When South Florida takes the court, it will look to secure the American Athletic Conference regular-season championship with a win. The title would be the Bulls' second in the last three years.
 
South Florida, which is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll (19) and is ranked No. 23 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches top 25 poll this week, comes into Saturday 23-5 overall and 12-1 in The American. The Bulls are also looking for their 24^th win of the season which will tie for the third most wins in program history. They also accomplished the feat during the 2021-22, 2016-17, and 2015-16 seasons.
 
Elena Tsineke is averaging a conference-best 17.4 points per game on the year and leads three players on the Bulls' roster in double figures after her game-high 19-point performance at Central Florida on Wednesday night. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu is second in scoring, averaging 16.9 points per game, and is also grabbing 12.7 rebounds per outing. Her rebounding average is tops in the conference and third in the nation. Fankam Mendjiadeu is coming off an 18-point, 14-rebound night against the Knights.
 
Sammie Puisis rounds out the double-digit scorers netting 15.7 points per contest, while Carla Brito is within striking distance of double-figures averaging 8.9 points per game.
 
SMU comes in with a 15-8 record and a 6-5 mark in conference play. The Mustangs, who are coming off a tough 52-50 loss at Tulane on Feb. 15, have dropped two of their last three games dating back to when South Florida and SMU met on Feb. 4.
 
Jasmine Smith is one of three players on the SMU roster averaging double-figures in the scoring column, netting 13.3 points per game, followed by Chantae Embry and Savannah Wilkinson who are averaging 12.1 points and 11.1 points per game, respectively.
 
Wilkinson leads the team on the glass grabbing 7.8 rebounds per game followed by Embry pulling down 6.4 rebounds per outing.
 
South Florida closes out its conference home slate on Feb. 22 against Tulsa on Senior Night. Game time against the Golden Hurricane is slated for 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
 
The Bulls wrap up their regular season schedule at Cincinnati on March 1 at 7 p.m. (ESPN+), before heading to the American Athletic Conference Tournament, March 6-9, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
Catch The Bulls on Bulls Unlimited & ESPN+
The majority of USF's regular-season games will be streamed live on the ESPN+ platform. The American Athletic Conference and ESPN began a new 12-year television rights agreement which started in 2020-21. Subscriptions for the ESPN+ app is $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually and can be packaged with Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. A step-by-step guide for subscribing to ESPN+ is located here.
 
In addition, all games this season will be broadcast live on USF Bulls Unlimited, with Darek Sharp (home and away) and Brigid Merenda (for home games only) on the call. Bulls Unlimited is available via the free Tune In app (search "Bulls Unlimited'') and provides static-free quality whether you're listening on your streaming device, laptop or desktop.
 
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.