TAMPA, Fla. (December 30, 2025) – The University of South Florida women's basketball team closed out 2025 with the American Conference opener against Rice, which was the championship matchup from last year's conference tournament. Edyn Battle led USF with 16 points, but the Bulls (7-7, 0-1) fell to the Owls (11-3, 1-0) in the final seconds, 70-68.
 
In her first game back from injury, Battle led the Bulls with her fifth game in double figures with 16 points. She added five rebounds, a game-high four assists, and three steals. Carla Brito produced her second-straight game with a double-double behind a 10-point and 13-rebound effort. She added two steals. Stefanie Ingram tallied her eighth game in double digits with 10 points. She chipped in with three assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one block. L'or Mputu posted 10 points and three rebounds. Katie Davidson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. It is the second time this season that the Bulls have had five players in double figures.
As expected, the game opened as a back-and-forth battle. The defenses were strong to start the contest, as neither team could make a basket for the first three minutes of play. Once the scoring started, Rice went on an 8-2 run. The Bulls were unfazed and outscored the Owls 10-3 to claim a 12-11 lead midway through the first. Battle and Davidson each scored four points during the USF run. The two sides continued to battle as Rice held an 18-16 lead after the first stanza.
 
After the Owls scored the first four points of the second quarter, the Bulls produced an 8-0 run and forced Rice to call a timeout. During the run, USF produced four fast breaks highlighted by some fancy ball movement. South Florida took a 24-22 lead midway through the second.
 
Rice went on a 12-0 run and took a 34-24 lead. South Florida scored the final four points of the half and cut the deficit to 34-28 at the break. Battle, in her first game back for the Bulls, had a team-high eight points at the break. Brito had a game-high six rebounds at the half.
 
The second half started with the two sides trading buckets. Midway through the stanza, the Owls held a 46-43 lead and extended it to five, 55-50, to end the quarter. The two sides continued to battle to start the fourth quarter, carrying that to the media timeout, where the Owls still held a five-point lead, 64-59.

After the timeout, the Bulls went on a 7-0 run and took a 66-64 lead with just over two minutes left in the game. Out of the timeout, Aniah Alexis knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Owls up 67-66 with 1:42 left to play. Brito put the Bulls back in front 68-67 with a driving layup with 36 seconds left on the clock. Shelby Hayes gave Rice a 69-69 lead. Dominique Ennis put the Owls up 70-68, but there was still time for one final shot for the Bulls. After calling a timeout and advancing the ball, USF had one more chance to tie the game at the buzzer. The Bulls were unable to send the game to overtime, and the Owls claimed a 70-68 victory.
 
Alexis finished with a game-high 19 points for Rice. Ennis chipped in with 17 points, while Hayes added 14. Victoria Flores posted 10 points. Haliey Adams led the Owls with 11 rebounds.
 
Notables:
• Carla Brito produced her second-straight game with a double-double behind a 10-point and 13-rebound effort. She achieved the same feat last season.
• It is the second time this season that the Bulls have had five players finish with double-digit points.
• Edyn Battle produced a team-high 16 points in her first game back, which was her fifth game in double digits this season.
• Stefanie Ingram tallied her eighth game in double digits with 10 points.
Katie Davidson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
• L'or Mputu collected her fifth game in double figures with 10 points.
 
Up Next
The Bulls begin 2026 inside the Yuengling Center on Saturday, January 3, at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. South Florida welcomes North Texas for Dog Adoption Day.
 
About South Florida Women's Basketball
Be sure to follow USF women's basketball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 

Michele Woods-Baxter was named as USF women's basketball interim head coach. South Florida women's basketball has built a storied tradition over the past 25 seasons, highlighted by 19 postseason tournament appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament berths. The program has achieved 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and captured the 2008-09 WNIT championship.
 
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