LAS VEGAS, DEC. 19, 2016 – The University of South Florida dropped its first contest of the season Monday, in a 73-68 decision to Long Beach State. The Bulls snapped an eight-game win streak in the opening contest of the inaugural Play4Kay Tournament in Las Vegas.

USF (8-1) was led by junior Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) with her second consecutive double-double outing. Jespersen scored 16 points and shot 50 percent from the floor. The forward finished 6-of-12 from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from behind the arc. Jespersen grabbed a game best 12 rebounds and added three assists in 40 minutes of action.

Sophomore Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) finished with 18 points off six three-pointers. Junior Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) was crucial late in the game with 13 of her 17 points in the final 20 minutes, including seven in the fourth quarter. The point guard finished with four assists and three steals.

It was an evenly contested game, with both teams turning in similar numbers. USF led for 16 minutes of the first half, and entered the break with a 36-33 advantage. The 49ers tied the game at 36 in the opening possession of the third quarter but the Bulls stalled Long Beach State for the first four minutes of the quarter. A three-pointer by Gigi Hascheff gave the 49ers a lead they would never relinquish with under five minutes left in the third frame.

Long Beach State (8-4) was led by Madison Montgomery with 19 points while Hascheff added 15 points. 

Key Stats

Long Beach State won the third quarter 22-14. It was the only quarter the 49ers outscored USF.

The Bulls outrebounded the 49ers 38-31 but only collected seven second chance points off 13 offensive rebounds.

Notables

Jespersen's double-double performance is her third this season, and the second in as many games. She has now scored in double-figures in six games this season.  

Laksa has made at least three three-pointers every game this season, and has made six on four different occasions.  

Flores has tallied at least four assists in all but one game.

Up Next

USF will play Tuesday in the consolation bracket at 12:30 p.m. local time (PT). The Bulls will face the loser of the Oklahoma State and Santa Clara match-up.

To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's' basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).

The Bulls return eight players from last season, and have signed six newcomers to the roster. American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Kitija Laksa will lead a squad full of international flavor that boasts nine players from around the world.  USF will look to extend its postseason streak to five consecutive seasons and return to the conference championship for the third time in as many years.

USF has made 12 postseason tournament appearances and had four NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 16 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to seven 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 280 games.

To purchase season tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.

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