Kristy Curry was just 10 years old, growing up in Olla, La., the last time the South Florida women's basketball team beat the Florida Gators in Gainesville. The date was November 20, 1977, qnd the Bulls were handed a 42-point thrashing that night.
Since then, USF made the 120-mile trip up I-75 18 times without success as the Gators treated the Bullsmore like little cousins than a respected opponent.
However, all that changed Thursday night when USF -- in Curry;'s first game against the Gators as USF's head coach -- rode back to Tampa with a 72-70 win over the previously unbeaten Gators. It was just USF's win ever over the Gators in 42 tries.
#USF women’s hoops goes on the road to Florida and beats the Gators. https://t.co/EK9Xs2fXFZ
— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) November 13, 2026
Curry was brought in this season after a long career that included stops at Purdue, Texas Tech, and Alabama to bring precisely this kind of mojo to USF. She knows how to handle the moment. Thursday's win evened her all-time record against the Gators to 10-10.
Florida didn't have an answer for USF guard Stefanie Ingram, who had 25 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists.
That prompted this remark from UF head coach Tammi Reiss in her post-game comments.
"First and foremost, I want to give credit to South Florida and Kristy;s team. I thought for three quarters they came in here and they just played tougher and harder than us — they really did. In all the toughness plays you can see it," she said.
"So, offensive rebounding, you can see it. Free throw line. Hunting that paint. You can see it. How many paint points they had. You can see it.So really this game came down to, and it's no surprise — we said it in our preparation — the tougher team is going to win. And today, South Florida definitely was the tougher team, so much credit to them."
Points in the paint? USF led 48-38 there.
Rebounding?
USF had a 41-31 edge.
Florida made the Bulls work for it in the final 10 minutes, though.
Spurred by a 27-point third quarter, the Bulls took a seemingly comfortable 16-point lead into the fihal period, but the Gators fought back to tie the at 70-all.
However, USF regained the lead on a layup by Kate Novik with 24 seconds left and the Bulls made it hold up.
USF, now 3-1, will be back at it on Sunday at home against Florida International. Tip-off is 3 p.m.
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