Williams continues to cement her legacy
With 16 points tonight, senior guard Courtney Williams moves to second on the USF all-time scoring list. She is just 47 points from becoming only the second player to reach 2,000 points. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
USF senior guard Courtney Williams continues to inch her way closer to history.
The All-American senior guard continued to add to her legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in USF basketball history in another blowout victory Wednesday, this time drumming Houston 73-49.
Williams led the Bulls’ march once again, with 13 points and 16 of USF’s 48 rebounds. With 1,953 career points, Williams passes USF great Wanda Guyton for second on USF’s all-time scoring list. Williams is still far from Jessica Dickson’s record of 2,402 points.
USF (14-5, 7-2) had 5-foot-8 Williams take the game’s opening tip, winning the possession over 6-foot-1 Houston guard Jessieka Palmer.
The Bulls got off to a slow start offensively, only leading the Cougars (4-15, 0-8) 13-12 after the opening quarter.
But in a second quarter where USF held Houston to only three field goals, the Bulls were able to impose their will offensively to lead 40-21 at the half. Standout freshman forward Kitjia Laksa, who was held to only a single field goal in the first eight minutes, came alive in the second quarter, outscoring the entire Houston team 13-9 in the period.
Laksa, who came into the game ranked 32nd in the country in made 3-pointers (2.8 per game) has seen her game go from being a spot shooter to an integral piece of the Bulls’ potent attack.
“I’m excited to play a wing, not just a shooter,” Laksa said. “I don’t want to be just a shooter… I want to shoot. I want to do everything to help my team — on offense, on defense, everywhere.”
Still missing dominant rebounder senior forward Alisia Jenkins, the Bulls underlying task of the evening was once again working on the development of their reserves in preparation for another run in the NCAA tournament.
Wednesday was junior center Nancy Warioba’s turn to see extended minutes, with the Kenyan netting a career high in points and rebounds.
“I thought she was exceptional,” boasted USF head coach Jose Fernandez. “It’s a credit to her, she had eight points and seven boards in 18 minutes.”
The Bulls, who came into the night as the best free throw shooting team in all of women’s basketball (78.9 percent) had another fantastic night from the charity stripe, converting on 20-of-26 opportunities.
USF travels to Dallas to face SMU Sunday, a team that they beat earlier this month by 27 points.
More Stories
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]
USF baseball matches last season’s wins at midseason
USF baseball has reached its midseason, powering through a turnaround year. Despite losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday 7-5, It has already won 21 games, matching the same total from last season with a road victory against Tulane on Sunday. The Bulls (21-16, 7-5 AAC) stand third out of 10 teams in the conference. […]
USF men’s basketball was gutted by the transfer portal. Here’s who remains on the roster.
Things move pretty quickly in this new world of college basketball thanks in large part to the explosion of the transfer portal. Less than a month removed from a second round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, USF men’s basketball looks a lot different than it did in mid-March. In the span of a […]
USF softball is gaining momentum during season’s final stretch
As the USF softball season draws to a close, it seems the team has found some momentum. The Bulls (30-16, 9-9 AAC) have won six of its last seven games. In the last nine days, they have won their last two conference series and stunned the then-ranked No.9 Florida Gators on Wednesday. USF had yet […]