Matchup: USF (13-2, 2-1 The American) vs. East Carolina (10-7, 1-3 The American)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 14
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tampa | Sun Dome
Promotions: Bulls Against Cancer | Father-Daughter Night
Watch: American Digital Network | www.theamerican.org/watch/
Radio: AM 1470 (Mike Lefko, Brigid Merenda)
Tickets: 1-800-Go-Bulls
Follow: Listen | Stats | Twitter
TAMPA, JAN. 13, 2017 – The University of South Florida women's basketball team returns to USF Sun Dome Arena Saturday for an American Athletic Conference tilt against East Carolina. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. and will air on the American Digital Network.
Saturday's contest is the first of a three-game home stand, marking the first time this season USF will be in Florida for more than one week. The Bulls have proven to be tough to beat at home thanks to a 33-4 record over the past three seasons. USF currently holds an 12-game home win streak and is 6-0 at the Dome this season. The last time USF dropped a contest in front of its home crowd was Jan. 10, 2016.
Promotions
Bulls Against Cancer
Saturday is the USF women's basketball team Bulls Against Cancer game. In partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center and USF Athletics, the Bulls will honor those whose lives have been touched by cancer. The goal of the partnership is to raise awareness for different types of cancer, while promoting cancer prevention. On Saturday, USF will raise awareness for cervical cancer. In awareness of the disease, the Bulls will wear uniforms with teal accents while staffs from both teams will wear teal ribbons.
Father-Daughter Night
Fathers in attendance of Saturday's game can come to Gate A and pick a flower to present to their daughter (while supplies last). Rocky will also be available from 6:30-7 p.m. to take photos with any fathers and daughters.
The Opponent
USF and the East Carolina will meet for the 12th time in program history. The Pirates hold a 7-4 series record but the Bulls have won three of the past four meetings. East Carolina holds a 4-2 advantage in Tampa. USF swept the series last year, including a 75-54 victory at the Sun Dome Jan. 17, 2016.
ECU (10-7, 1-3 The American) averages 64.7 points per game, and is led by Kristen Gaffney with 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Bre McDonald is the only other Pirate averaging double-figures with 11.5 points per game. East Carolina is looking to bounce back after a 78-47 loss at Temple Wednesday. The Pirates are 1-2 in league action; their lone win is against SMU.
Notables
· Junior Laia Flores (Mataro, Spain) continues to rank among the nation's best point guards. Her 3.45 assist-turnover ratio ranks fourth in the country.
· Junior Maria Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) has tallied seven double-doubles this season, which rank second in the league and 35th in NCAA Division I.
· Sophomore Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) averages a league best 20.6 points per game which rank 14th in Division I. She is one of only five underclassmen on the top-15 scorers list, and one of only three sophomores.
· Head coach Jose Fernandez is only two wins away from reaching 300 career wins. Only two active coaches in the American Athletic Conference have achieved the feat.
· USF has a rebounding margin of +12.5, which ranks fifth in the country. The Bulls average 44.9 rebounds per game.
· The Bulls have only committed 191 fouls this season (12.7 per game), which ranks in the top-five as the fewest fouls committed this season.
· The Bulls' 129 points versus Saint Francis U (Dec. 14) are the second-most points scored by any team in Division I this season. Baylor turned in 140 points the next day, Dec. 15, against Winthrop.
· USF is the only team in NCAA Division I with nine international players on its roster.
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.
– #GoBulls –
