Next game: USF (21-10, 13-4) vs. North Texas (24-7, 15-3)
When: Tuesday, March 11, 9 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN+ and Bulls Unlimited
The early games of a conference tournament can be dangerous for favored teams. With that in mind, USF was on high alert Monday as the Bulls opened the American Athletic Conference tournament against Tulane.
But despite a few hiccups in the first half, the Bulls did what they were supposed to do in eliminating the Green Wave 69-59 to advance to the semifinals against second-seeded North Texas.
After a 14-0 run in the first quarter gave put the Bulls in command, Tulane clawed back to tie the game with 3:26 left in the second.
Worried?
No need. The Bulls reassumed command behind Carla Brito (15 points, 17 rebounds) and Mama Dembele (15 points, seven assists, and four steals). They did not suffer the fate of top-seeded UTSA, which was stunned by Rice 62-58 earlier on Monday.
“Now, a quick turnaround. We're gonna play a really good North Texas team. They beat us pretty good at their place and then at our place I thought we did some very, very good things. It's going to be a very good basketball game.”
The winner of this game advances to the conference finals with a berth in the NCAA tournament on the line.
USF went on a nine-game winning streak after losing at North Texas 72-65 on January 11. Included in the streak was a 65-58 win over the Mean Green in Tampa.
The Bulls will need to shoot better in this rubber match if they hope to survive and advance. They shot just 34.8 percent against Tulane, including 6-of-24 on 3-pointers.
Guard Sammie Puisis had a particularly tough night from the floor. She was just 3-of-16 overall and 3-of-13 from 3-pointers. She is one of the nation’s best shooters from long range.
The Bulls held serve because of their defense. Dembele, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, was a thorn to Tulane all night, helping spur USF to 20 points off turnovers.
They’ll need that same intensity against the Mean Green.
“It's going to be a war because whoever wins (Tuesday) has a chance to play for an NCAA tournament bid and a conference championship,” Fernandez said.
“So I'm looking forward to our kids getting some rest tonight, getting prepared with film and having a great shootaround, and tomorrow, getting ready to play a good basketball team.”