Already 20 games into the season, USF women’s basketball is trying to put together a consistent offense.

Related: USF dominates FAU in bounce back victory

An 65-56 upset win over Duke on Dec. 12 showed the Bulls’ (12-8, 5-2 AAC) scoring potential, but the team has struggled to generate points on a regular basis.

After enduring one of the nation’s toughest schedules, here’s how the Bulls have fared so far.

Big Game Bulls

USF began their season with a difficult non-conference slate, taking on five ranked teams. 

South Florida initially fared poorly against the top competition, going 0-4 with an average margin of defeat of 24.5 points.

With one ranked opponent left before starting conference play, the Bulls defended home court against the Blue Devils. 

After the victory against Duke, USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez said he credited the win to the challenging schedule the team endured.

“Some of those games we played this year, we just weren’t ready to win,” Fernandez said. “But you learn a lot from losses”. 

Graduate guard Sammie Puisis led the Bulls in scoring versus Duke with 23 points, a recurring theme halfway through USF’s season.

Same ol’ Sammie

 Last season, Puisis played a single game before being ruled out for the year with a knee injury. 

After the Bulls’ win versus Mount St. Mary’s on Nov. 7,  Puisis said she didn’t feel “100%” but appreciated being back on the court.

“It takes a few games to get back into it,” Puisis said. “But it’s just fun to get out there again,  I’m really enjoying it.”

Related: USF’s Jose Fernandez sets record, Puisis shines in women’s basketball win

Back in action for the 2024-25 campaign, her shooting touch has elevated to the sharpest it’s ever been.

Puisis leads the Bulls in scoring at 15.1 points per game, along with a career-high 44% from the three-point line. Her prolific shooting makes her one of the country’s best, as her 63 three-pointers makes ranks 4th in all of women’s Division I basketball.

During games where Puisis has an off night, the Bulls chances to win plummet. USF is 1-5 in games when she records 10 or fewer points.

Points at a premium

When the Bulls have suffered defeat this year, a main culprit of its demise has been a struggling offense.

USF ranks near the bottom of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in total scoring, placing them 10th among 13 teams. 

Several Bulls are having down scoring seasons.This includes sophomore guard Vittoria Blasigh, junior forward Carla Brito and graduate forward Romi Levy.

Levy’s 14.7 scoring average in 2023-24 has been slashed in half. The AAC preseason player suffered a facial injury versus Vanderbilt on Nov.14. Prior to the setback, her scoring average was 7.6.

Besides Puisis, senior forward L’or Mputu is the only player to average at least 10 points. After the Bulls’ win versus Charlotte, Fernandez said Mputu’s improved play has helped the team.

“She sets a screen and doesn’t pop, she’s rolling and taking people with her,” Fernandez said. “She’s embraced her job, and that’s why we’re playing a lot better.”

Looking forward

With 11 games remaining, USF has the chance to climb to the top of the AAC and secure home court advantage for the postseason.

In their quest to win the conference, the Bulls have started 5-2 in league play, good enough for 4th place in the standings. 

A conference tournament win guarantees the Bulls a return to the NCAA tournament, after missing out for the first time in three years last season.

USF will face East Carolina on the road at 4 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN + and Bulls Unlimited.