Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
By Kendall Bulkiewicz
The University of South Florida women’s basketball team brought in a 75-63 victory over University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) at the Yuengling Center on Wednesday night.
The win broke the Roadrunners’ 10-game winning streak and handed them their first conference loss of the season.
The Bulls’ dominant performance happened during a Taylor Swift-themed “Eras Night,” creating a lively atmosphere for fans. Throughout the game, Swift’s music played over the speakers, while fans traded friendship bracelets.
Some attendees even dressed as the pop icon herself, and the night ended with USF head coach Jose Fernandez receiving a friendship bracelet in true Swiftie fashion.
Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
Graduate guard Sammie Puisis added 16 points, knocking down two three-pointers for the 17th time this season. Junior forward Carla Brito contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while also recording a steal and a block. Senior forward L’or Mputu controlled the boards with 10 rebounds and three blocks, marking her seventh game of the season with double-digit rebounds. Graduate guard Mama Dembele set a season-high with 11 assists, her 20th game this year with at least three.
USF pulled away late in the fourth, securing its first double-digit lead when redshirt senior guard Romi Levy’s layup made it 69-58 with three minutes left. Brito extended the advantage to 14 points in the final minute, sealing the Bulls’ victory.
Levy credited the victory to the team’s mentality.
“I think we all kind of got into the mindset of, there was no way we’re losing this game,” Levy said. “Once one girl gets an open layup, then Sammie hits a three, and then it’s just kind of like one thing leads to another.”
Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
Puisis echoed that confidence, emphasizing the team’s ball movement and execution.
“We’re just playing. We’re not overthinking it; We were in control of the game for most of it. It was a great team win” Puisis said.
Coach Jose Fernandez praised the Bulls’ response after halftime, particularly their ability to limit turnovers and create high-percentage shots.
“That’s what I talked to our kids about at halftime,” Fernandez said. “I thought, in the first half, we didn’t do a very good job taking care of the basketball, and we took some bad shots. But I thought we finished and got some high-percentage shots.”
During a break in the action, USF also honored more than 400 student-athletes who made the honor roll this past semester. Special shirts were given to athletes who achieved a 4.0 GPA, highlighting the Bulls’ success both on and off the court.
Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
USF finished with a season-high 24 assists on 32 made field goals and improved to 11-2 at home.
Levy recorded her 11th career game with 20 or more points, while Puisis notched her 60th career double-digit scoring performance.
The Bull’s next home game is on Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. against Rice University. Fans can watch in person or on ESPN+.
