TAMPA, FEB. 13, 2017 – The No. 22 University of South Florida women's basketball team will play its second game in three days Tuesday when it hosts in-state rival UCF at 7 p.m.
The Valentine's Day match-up will be broadcast on ESPN3, with Drew Fellios (play-by-play) and Steffi Sorensen (analyst) on the call. The USF IMG Sports Network radio broadcast can be heard on AM 820, featuring Jim Louk and Brigid Merenda.
USF (20-4, 9-2 The American) tallied its fifth consecutive 20-win season Sunday in a 66-56 victory over Tulane. The Bulls were led by The American Player of the Week Kitija Laksa (Riga, Latvia) who registered 21 points. Four Bulls poured in double-figure scores.
Promotions
Valentine's Day
Fans can bring their date to Gate A and receive a carnation, while supplies last. USF Athletics will also give out USF Window Clings to the first 1,000 fans.
War on I-4
The UCF and USF athletic departments have announced the official establishment of the War On I-4 rivalry series, which officially began Sept. 21, 2016 with a competition between the two schools' volleyball programs. The War on I-4 represents a long-standing and passionate rivalry between the fan bases of two of the nation's largest and fastest growing universities. The Orlando and Tampa Bay metropolitan areas are connected by 100 short miles of Interstate 4 (I-4).
Fans will be able to take pictures with the War on I-4 trophy at Gate A.
The Opponent
USF and UCF will meet for the first time this season and the 34th time in program history. The Bulls hold a 25-8 series advantage. USF is undefeated against the Knights since Dec. 10, 1980 and carry a 19-game win streak into Tuesday's contest. USF has never lost a home game to its I-4 rival.
UCF (15-9, 5-6 The American) is on a two-game win streak with victories over Houston and Tulsa. The Knights are under new direction, led by first year head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. UCF is averaging 64 points and 40 rebounds per game and have the league's best rebounding defense, limiting opponents to 30 rebounds per game.
Notables
· With just one meeting on the schedule this season, the winner of Tuesday's game between the Knights and the Bulls will earn all six points towards the overall total. UCF currently holds an 18-15 edge in the War on I-4 series.
· USF's +9.8 rebounding margin leads The American, and its 72.1 points per game is second the league.
· The Bulls have totaled 11 wins by 16 or more points, including four against conference opponents.
· Head coach Jose Fernandez reached 300 career wins Jan. 17. Only three active coaches in the American Athletic Conference have achieved the feat.
· The Bulls are currently ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll.
· USF is the only team in NCAA Division I with nine international players on its roster.
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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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