USF WBB Faces FIU in the Second Round of the WNIT

The USF Bulls, 18-15, are coming off of a 76 to 20 win over FAU in the first round of the WNIT. After the big win, the Bulls welcome FIU into town for the second round of the WNIT (game scheduled to start at 7PM in the upper gym of the Rec Center. Tickets are just $5).

FIU, 23-10, is coming off of a big win over Stetson in their opening round and will be looking to upset the Bulls are their home court. FIU is averaging 63 points per game and shoots 43% from the floor this year, but they did lose both their games to FAU this regular season, the same team USF just beat and held to just 13% shooting from the floor. The Bulls will be aggressive on defense, but face a few sharp shooters on the FIU side, let's see what they are up against.

The Panthers are led by sophomore guard Jessica Coley (5-8) who is averaging 23.9 points per game (big time scorer) with 6.5 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, has 32 steals and 24 blocks, doing a little bit of everything for FIU. Senior guard Fanni Hutlassa (6-1) is averaging 12.4 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Junior forward Finda Mansare 96-1) is averaging 11.8 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, and has 25 blocks on the year. She will have to matchup with McDonald and Rowe on the inside where they will have the height advantage.

Junior guard Carm Miloglau (5-7) is averaging 3.2 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Kamika Idom (5-9) is averaging 1.9 points per game and freshman guard Zsofia Labady (5-9) is averaging 1.2 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game.

FIU has their big three scorers with Coley, Hutlasa, and Mansare on the court, but there is a drop off on their depth chart when it comes to bench scoring. The Bulls will have to be aggressive on defense and shut down their 3 big scorers and then attack the rim on the other end.

The Bulls have a little bit more depth on their bench and if they can avoid turnovers and dominate the boards in this one, they should be heading to the third round of the tournament.