USF women’s basketball went one and one in their opening week, losing to the Colorado State University Rams (CSU) 52-47 on Nov. 4 and getting into the win column with a 59-37 victory over University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos (UCSB) on Nov. 9 at the Sobrato Center.
USF maintained a steady lead through the first three quarters against the Rams in Fort Collins, Colorado, leading 37-31. CSU took control when they caught fire behind the arc, sinking four three-pointers, resulting in a 21 point fourth quarter push that gave the Rams a five point victory. Senior guard Freja Werth led the Dons with 13 points and nine rebounds.
In their home opener against the Gauchos, USF jumped to an early 11-3 lead, thanks to a trio of three-pointers by guards Werth, senior Cami Fulcher, freshman Elle Papahronis. UCSB guard Anya Choice weathered the storm with six points, ending the first quarter with a 13-12 USF lead.
The Dons stepped up their defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding UCSB to just four points on one for 14 shooting. Freshman guard Angeliki Ziaka showcased strong perimeter defense, collecting three blocks in the final six minutes of the quarter. USF closed the final four minutes of the half with seven unanswered points, which was highlighted by a contested one-on-one left elbow drive by senior forward Debora Dos Santos. The team concluded the first half 22-16.
Throughout the third quarter, USF dominated the boards and lived at the free throw line, which helped fuel a 15 to four run. The team combined for a total of eight offensive rebounds and attempted 12 foul shots in the period. Down 37-22 at the 2:57 mark, guard Alyssa Marin gave the Guachos a much needed scoring boost, scoring eight points in the last minute and a half to lead a nine to two scoring run, cutting the Dons’ lead to eight.
The Dons responded in the fourth quarter by holding UCSB to their second four point quarter of the game, with USF winning by 22 points.
Dos Santos and Papahronis finished in double figure scoring with 14 and 10, respectively. Graduate student and forward Emma Trawally Porta had a near double double, finishing with nine points and ten rebounds, five of which were offensive rebounds.
Head Coach Molly Goodenbour said in the post game conference, “We wanted to emphasize offensive rebounding, I thought [Trawally Porta] in the second half especially did a nice job of that, kept some balls alive, got us some extra possessions.”
In her first collegiate start, Ziaka filled up the box score, totalling eight points, five rebounds, three assists, four blocks and three steals.
When asked about her expanded role heading into the game, Ziaka said, “I was feeling good. I had a lot of support from my teammates. I know that they believe in me,” she said. “I was less stressed this game because the pressure of the first official game is a lot, so now I was more confident.” Ziaka was tied with Werth with a team high 32 minutes played in the game.
At the time of publication, the Dons played against Portland State University on Nov. 12. They finish off the week against San Diego State University on Nov. 16, in San Diego, California. The team will then prepare for USF Legacy Night at Chase Center vs Boise State University, playing the first game of a USF double header at 4:00 p.m. before the men’s basketball team at 7:00 p.m.
Students can attend home games for free using their One Card.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, News Editor: Phebe Bridges, Sports Editor: John Lindroos
