USF WBB Takes on Bethune-Cookman

Caitlin Rowe (above) continues to impress early in the season (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

The USF ladies are 2-2 on the season after beating UNF down 76 to 41 in the last game. The Bulls got the offense going and got plenty of minutes for the bench players as Fernandez develops depth on his team. This game, he will need everyone to take what they have learned in the first 4 games of the season and put it all on the court as Bethune Cookman comes to town.

BCU is 1-0 on the season, coming off of a 74 to 52 win over Ave Maria in Daytona. BCU plays an aggressive style, led by their two outstanding guards will will put pressure on the Bulls. USF has a size advantage and should take full advantage of it.

BCU is led by junior guard Jasmine Elum (5-8). She was 8 of 16 shooting in the first game, scoring 18 points, adding 2 assists and 3 rebounds. She had 5 turnovers, so Smith and company have to pressure her. Jalisa Isaac, the 5-9 senior guard was 8 for 19 in the first game, scoring 19 points, 1 assist, and 4 rebounds. With her and Elum, BCU has a solid backcourt that will try to control the game. Smith, Wynne, and Saunders have to use their size against them and dictate right back.

Sophomore guard Kiara Redmon (5-9) had just 5 rebounds in the first game. Sophomore forward Sharnese Neal (5-10) had 7 points and 7 rebounds, providing the inside presence for BCU. Freshman guard Karian Samples-Smart (5-11) had 2 points and 4 rebounds in her first start. Look out for sophomore forward Khalilah Quigley (5-11) who had 13 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.

BCU is run by their guards and does not have the size in the paint, something USF does. With Rowe and McDonald coming in at 6-4 each, they should be able to dominate the paint in this game, crash the boards, and allow the offense to open up and get Smith and others going. USF really needs to win this game before they hit the road for a long, long road trip to Alaska (no, they are not going gold mining in Alaska either!)