USF women battled unbeaten Mississippi State close but upset bid falls short

USF (4-4) vs. 17th-ranked TCU (7-0)

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.

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Different opponent, same story.

That’s the gist of the USF women’s basketball team’s 59-52 loss Friday night to unbeaten Mississippi State in the Cayman Islands Classic.

The Bulls hung tough throughout the game and led 31-29 at the half, but, as they have done in three previous losses to top-tier teams, a lack of execution in the clutch cost them the chance for an attention-grabbing upset.

“We are really, really good when we run our stuff, but when people start to try and do all the (stuff) that they want to damn do on their own, we're not a very good basketball team,” head coach Jose Fernandez said.

USF trailed by only three points with 2:16 left in the game but got no closer as the Bulldogs pulled away and secured their eighth consecutive win to open the season.

Mississippi State dominated in the paint, outscoring USF there 38-26. The Bulldogs also got 19 points off turnovers to only four for the Bulls.

USF graduate guard Sammie Puisis led all scorers with 22 points, including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers. It was her fourth straight double-figure game.

Senior forward L'or Mputu matched a career-best 12 rebounds.

It doesn’t get any easier tonight as the Bulls close out their stay in the Caymans by taking on unbeaten and 17th-ranked TCU. The Horned Frogs knocked off previously unbeaten and 3rd-ranked Notre Dame 76-68 on Friday.

TCU trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter but outscored the Irish 31-12 in the final period to secure the win.