COLUMBUS, Ohio. – No. 12 seed South Florida (23-11) fell to No. 5 seed Tennessee (23-9), 101-66, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Value City Arena on Friday night.
Graduate guard Sammie Puisis (28 points, five 3-pointers) knocked down three or more 3-pointers for the 19th game this season. Senior forward L’or Mputu (12 points) recorded double-digit points for the 14th time this season.
The Lady Vol’s were led by Talaysia Cooper with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Bulls finished the first frame down a single point to Tennessee, 26-25. Then the Lady Vols outscored the Bulls, 33-9, from the start of the second quarter to the 8:43 minute mark of the third stanza, and Tennessee led 59-34. The Bulls’ deficit grew as high as 31 points in the fourth frame.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- USF now holds a record of 5-10 in the NCAA Tournament.
- Puisis (five 3-pointers) has knocked down three or more 3-pointers in 19 games this season.
- The five triples by Puisis ties the single-game NCAA Tournament record by a USF performer.
- Puisis 28 points is tied for second all-time Kitja Laksa (vs Buffalo 3/17/18) for the second most points by a Bull in an NCAA Tournament game.
- Mputu (12 points) recorded double-digit points for the 14th time this season.
- The Lady Vols led the Bulls in Bench Points, 54-3.
- South Florida outrebounded Tennessee, 43-35.
AAC CHAMPIONSHIP GEAR
Bulls fans, show your pride and celebrate the championship with the official tournament champions t-shirt! Buy your shirt here.
2025-26 SEASON TICKETS
Bulls fans, it’s time to lock in your seats for another exciting season of USF Basketball! The 2025-26 season promises competitive matchups and unforgettable moments at the Yuengling Center. Buy your season tickets here.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
South Florida women’s basketball has made 19 postseason tournament appearances and had 10 NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 25 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided the Bulls to 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2008-09 WNIT championship, and has won 485 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.