The University of South Florida women’s basketball team lost a close game to East Carolina University on Wednesday, with a final score of 64-62. The Bulls now have a season record of 13-10 and are 6-4 in the American Athletic Conference, while the Pirates improved to 17-7 overall and 9-2 in conference play.
L’or Mputu and Carla Brito each achieved double-doubles for USF. Mputu recorded her third double-double of the season, tying for a team-high with 17 points and leading all players with 13 rebounds. “L’or Mputu recorded her third double-double of the season, tying for the team high with 17 points and posting a game-high 13 rebounds.” Brito finished with 12 rebounds and 11 points, marking her fourth double-double this year. “Carla Brito recorded her fourth double-double of the year with 12 rebounds and 11 points.”
Katie Davidson also contributed significantly by matching Mputu’s scoring output. “Katie Davidson tied for the team-high with 17 points. She went 4-for-6 from 3-point range. It was her 15th game with double-digit scoring.” Edyn Battle added another strong performance, scoring in double figures for the fourteenth time this season. “Edyn Battle closed out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, her 14th game in double figures. She tied for the game-high with six assists.”
The Bulls had four players score at least ten points in this contest, which is their ninth such occurrence this season.
In terms of gameplay, both teams played strong defense early on; neither scored more than ten points in the first quarter. USF led at halftime after holding ECU to just over twenty-two percent shooting from the field and preventing any three-pointers on seven attempts.
East Carolina responded after halftime by narrowing USF’s lead before overtaking them late in the fourth quarter following a decisive run. Jayla Hearp led ECU’s effort with eighteen points.
USF will next play Tulane at home on Saturday, February 7.
Michele Woods-Baxter is serving as interim head coach for South Florida women’s basketball. The program has made nineteen postseason tournament appearances over twenty-five seasons, including ten NCAA Tournament berths.
