USF’s women’s team is undefeated through the start of the season and look to continue its success seen in recent years.
Courtesy of @usfwbb on Instagram
By Max Steele
Basketball has officially tipped off at the University of South Florida, and it’s beginning to look like a repeat of last season.
The women’s team, who finished second in the American Athletic Conference last season with a record of 24-9, are undefeated with home wins over Morehead State and Florida A&M (FAMU) — winning by a margin of 40 or more points in both games.
Bulls guard Sammie Puisis is averaging a team-high 20 points per game, while forward Dulcy Fankam Mendijiadeu leads in rebounds (8.5) and point guard Aerial Wilson in assists (5.5). Fankam Mendijiadeu etched her name in the history books when she scored her 1,000th career point on the first basket of the game against FAMU.
“I know we can score the ball. We got a lot of weapons, and it can be anybody at any given night,” Puisis said after the team’s 90-50 win over FAMU. “I think we need to do a better job on the defensive end, but offense, we don’t even worry about that. We have so many people with so many different strengths.”
In the other locker room, the men’s team have struggled in its first two outings, falling to Southeast Missouri State at home and No. 15 Auburn on the road. The Bulls find themselves at the bottom of the conference, the same place they finished last season with a 8-23 record.
Forward Keyshawn Bryant, who also notched his 1,000th career point last week, leads USF in points (14.5) and assists (7) per game.
Courtesy of @usfmbb on Instagram
When asked how he will help lead this team, Bryant emphasized the importance of making sure all his teammates are on the same page and sticking to their roots.
“Keep everybody connected and keep everybody with their head on straight. Don’t let them be overwhelmed by a big game,” Bryant said. “We’re going to take every game one game at a time. [If we] stick to our game plan and our discipline, we’ll win.”
The Bulls lost its two leading scorers from last season, with guard Caleb Murphy transferring to DePaul University and guard Javon Greene graduating.
The men’s team play next against Stetson on Nov. 14, and the women’s team take on Alabama on Nov. 16 — both tipping off at 7 p.m. in the Yuengling Center.
