HOUSTON, Texas. (February 17, 2026) – South Florida women's basketball (16-11; 9-5 American) fell short to Rice (23-3; 13-0 American) in a physical game at Tudor Fieldhouse, 78-72.
Edyn Battle put on a second-half show, scoring 20 points in the second half alone, and going 100 percent from the free throw line with eight made. Three more Bulls recorded double-digit scoring- Stefanie Ingram (13), L'or Mputu (12) and Carla Brito (10).
Brito has recorded her fifth-straight double-double. Brito is one of five Bulls to hold this record since 1999. Brito posted 10 points and 14 rebounds. Mputu also earned her fifth double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
How it Happened:
Ingram came out strong for the Bulls, scoring back-to-back buckets and owning seven of the nine points on the board in the first quarter for South Florida. The Owls went on an 8-0 run and their defense held South Florida to a 25 percent shooting while forcing three turnovers. Rice came out of the first on top, 14-9.
Starting the second, the Bulls battled back and forth with the Owls before going on a 7-0 run and hitting four of five from the field. The momentum slowed throughout the quarter as the Rice offense picked back up and recorded over 62 percent shooting. Back to back twos from Ines Piper pushed the Bulls forward but the Owls had widened the gap by nine, 35-26. The Bulls entered the half with eight turnovers while Rice led in rebounds, 17-15.
Out of the half, the Bulls offense stepped up and scored 24 points, two short of the points they produced in the first half. Battle delivered nine points including a four point play, while Ingram scored five straight. The Bulls ended the quarter going 7 of 9 from the field. Rice responded with back to back quick scores and led going into the final stanza, 57-50.
The fourth quarter started slow for both teams, offense struggling in the field. The Owls were starting to run away with a lead of 12 before the Bulls responded on offense, going on a 7-0 run in 41 seconds and forcing the Owls into foul trouble. The Bulls brought the score within five before calling a timeout. Rice came out of the timeout hot, and extended a lead that the Bulls could not come back from, 79-72.
Notables:
• Carla Brito recorded her 18th double-double of the year, posting 10 points and 12 rebounds.
• Carla Brito has recorded her fifth-straight double-double. Brito is one of five Bulls to hold this record since 1999. This is the second highest streak, following Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu who recorded seven straight in 2023.
• Edyn Battle posted her 17th double-digit scoring game of the season, logging 20 points in the second half alone.
• L'or Mputu posted her fifth double-double of the year, earning 10 points and 12 rebounds.
• Stefanie Ingram recorded her 13th game with double digit scoring, posting 13 points.
• South Florida scored the second most out of any conference team against Rice this season with 72 points, following FAU who scored 75.
Up Next:
The Bulls will return home to face Florida Atlantic for Student Appreciation Night on February 21. The game will be at 7pm in the Yuengling Center. The game will be available on ESPN+ and Bulls Unlimited Radio.
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 the 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.
– #GoBulls –
