USF Takes on Florida State to Open the Season

The season is finally here!

The 2011-2012 women's basketball season begins as the Bulls travel to Daytona Beach to take on the 18th ranked Florida State Seminoles in the WBI Tip Off Tournament (game starts at 4:30 PM). The Bulls are looking to get off to a great start this season, but with the Noles as the first opponent, it will be a tough first test to open the season.

The Noles finished last season with an overall record of 24-8 (11-3 in ACC play). They have made 7 straight NCAA tournaments and will look to teach USF a lesson in this game, but the Bulls are ready for this game.

FSU is led by senior forward Cierra Bravard (6-4). She averaged 15 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game, showing her athletic ability off the wing. Junior guard Alexa Deluzio (5-11) averaged 12 points a game and 3.9 rebounds per game. She led the team with 67 assists, so the Bulls will have to stop her from setting up the offense. Sophomore forward Natasha Howard (6-3) has 10.6 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. All three of these ladies were starters last season and will lead the way again against the Bulls.

Junior forward Chelsea Davis (6-2) had 7.3 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. Junior forward Chasity Clayton (6-0) had 6.9 points per game and 4 rebounds per game. Both players played key roles off the bench last season and will look to do the same against USF in this game. They do have more size in the pain than USF, but the guard play of the Bulls could be a deciding factor for Fernandez and his team.

USF will a bit short handed in this game with Andrea Smith still not cleared to return and top guard Inga Orekhova out until January. The ladies will rely on Andrell Smith and crew to battle and get the win. We will have the full coverage of the game later this afternoon, bringing the updates and results!