USF Basketball: The Bulls Defeat No. 22 Texas, 70-65

The University of South Florida, better known as the Bulls, are 8-2 overall in the season. They traveled to Austin, Texas, to play against No. 22 Texas. After two losses in a row, they were ready to get back in the winning column. And Friday night, they did just that; they took down the Longhorns in front of 5,021 Texas fans, 70-65. This win marks the first against a team of the Top 25 since last season when they defeated No. 7/5 Stanford, 57-54 in the Bahamas.

A big win for the Bulls

The Bulls led by as many as 11 points in the game and made a 13-2 run to take the lead 41-32 before the half. Three players made a difference in Friday night’s game for USF and helped the Bulls win.

  • Sammie Puisis, a 6’1 guard, finished with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and a steal. She played 40 minutes and went 10-19 from the field.
  • Elena Tsineke, a 5’7 guard, finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and a block. She was short of playing 40 minutes. Tsineke’s 22 points mark her 66th career double-figure scoring game in a Bulls uniform.
  • Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, a 6’4 forward, finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal. This marks her 38th career double-double and her 13th in a Bulls uniform.

The Bulls had a 24 fast break points vs. 11 fast break points for the Longhorns. Even though the Longhorns won the points in the paint with (40), they also dominated the boards with (38); the Bulls had a better shooting night finishing the game 52.8 % from the field and 52.9% from three. The Longhorns had a 40% from the field, which impacted the game. And when you finish the game with a 71% from the free-throw line, it gives the Bulls an advantage. However, Texas could have won this game if they had a better shooting night. Also, the Longhorns’ bench outscored the Bulls’ bench. Texas had all the tools to win this battle, but the Bulls’ shot the lights out.

Photo Credit: Penny Guevara

The Bulls have been on the road and close out its five-game road stretch on Sunday, Dec. 11, when they travel to Raleigh, N.C., to face No. 12/11, ranked NC State. The tip-off is set for 2 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN +.

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