SoFloBulls.com |
USF moved to 5-0 last night with a 91 to 41 win over FIU. Yes, that’s a 50 point victory. This was quite the game after the Bulls started 1 for 8 from the floor in the first quarter.
USF led 33 to 15 at the half after the Panthers went through several stretches without a basket. As I mentioned before, USF started this game cold, but warmed up as it went along. The Bulls shot 37% for the half (13 for 35 from the floor) compared to 22% for the Panthers. USF led 28 to 15 in total rebounds and committed just 5 turnovers overall. The Bulls simply dominated and it got worse for FIU in the second half.
In the second half, the Bulls went wild from 3-point range, setting a new program record with 16 3-point shots as they ran away with the game. They shot 51% overall (29% for FIU) and dominated 48 to 23 in total rebounds. USF had just 9 turnovers (16 for FIU) and attempted just one free throw attempt for the game. It was a wild game as it seemed the Bulls could not miss while FIU could not do anything to slow USF down or even counter them.
Maria Jespersen posted a new career high with 22 points and added 11 rebounds. Kitija Laksa totaled 22 points (6 for 12 from 3-point range), with 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Laia Flores had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and set a new program record with 17 assists. Jazz Bond had 5 points and 2 rebounds, Laura Ferreira had 3 points and 7 rebounds, and Tamara Henshaw totaled 6 points and 5 rebounds.
Now, time to break down Ariadna Pujol who had 23 points (5 for 7 from 3-point range) with 8 rebounds. Consider these numbers, she totaled just 82 points all of last year (2.8 PPG) and her best year was a freshman in 2013 with 178 points (5.2 PPG). In five games this year, she has totaled 99 points, which is good for 19.8 PPG. To say she is off to an insane start is an understatement.
The Bulls will hit the road on Friday as they take on Butler (game begins at 7 PM) as they attempt to make it six in a row. Let’s see if they can keep it going and continue this crazy offense.
by Matt Staton
SoFloBulls.com Columnist | @USFMatt
© 2012-2016 SoFloBulls.com™; SoFloBulls Blog™. Material in any right may not be reproduced without expressed written consent of Matthew Manuri. All rights reserved.