USF women overpower Oklahoma State

TAMPA — Courtney Williams had 16 points and Alisia Jenkins added 14 rebounds as No. 20 USF routed Oklahoma State 68-46 Sunday at the Sun Dome.

The Bulls (7-2) never trailed after opening with a 6-0 run on three straight jumpers by Williams, but they shot just 33 percent from the floor in the first half. They rallied to finish 45 percent (28-of-62).

Defensively, USF enjoyed one of its best efforts of the season, holding the Cowgirls (8-1) to 30 percent, including 8 percent (1-of-12) from 3-point range. The Bulls also forced 19 turnovers.

"I think the last two games, how we were defending, that's how we defended last year," USF coach Jose Fernandez said. "I don't think it was important enough in those first 2-3 weeks of the year. But I think our kids understand for us to get where we need to get to, we've got to buckle down on that end of the floor."

Sophomore guard Laura Ferreira finished with 14 points for the Bulls. OSU guard Brittney Martin had a game-high 19.

No. 2. S.C. 88, E. CAROLINA 57: Tiffany Mitchell scored 17 in the matchup at Myrtle Beach, S.C., as the Gamecocks improved to 11-0. South Carolina took control of a physical game in the second quarter, outscoring East Carolina 23-11. The Pirates shot just 3-of-15 in the quarter.

NO. 5 TEXAS 61, ARK. 50: Brianna Taylor scored four of her 15 in the final minute and had eight rebounds for the Longhorns (10-0) at the Big 12-SEC Challenge in Oklahoma City. UT has won 24 straight regular-season games versus nonconference foes.

NO. 6 MARYLAND 106, MD.-EASTERN SHORE 30: Brene Moseley and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough each scored 23 as the visiting Terrapins (11-0) set a school record for victory margin.

NO. 8 UK 71, NO. 13 DUKE 61: Evelyn Akhator scored 18 to help the host Wildcats (10-0) in front of 17,150 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in school history. Azura Stevens led the Blue Devils (9-3) with 17 points.

NO. 9 MISS. STATE 90, WESTERN MICH. 68: Teaira McCowan scored a career-high 24 and had 13 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs (10-1) at the Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan.

NO. 18 TEXAS A&M 74, NO. 17 OKLA. 68: Courtney Williams scored 23 and the Red Raiders (8-3) overcame a 10-point third-quarter deficit at the Big 12-SEC Challenge in Oklahoma City. Kaylon Williams had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the OU (9-2), which had won eight straight.

NO. 23 MIAMI 89, INDIANA 75: Freshman Emese Hof had season highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds in her first start to pace the 'Canes (11-1) at the Florida Sunshine Classic in Winter Park.

FLORIDA 122, ST. FRANCIS 65: The host team broke the program's record for points in the first round of the Gator Holiday Classic. UF (10-1) scored 30 of the game's first 32 points, finishing with 70 in the first half to shatter the school record for points in a half. The 70 points were also the most by a team in any half in the history of the O'Connell Center, topping the 65 set by the Gators against Lynn on Feb. 16, 1995. The previous record for total points was 112, set against Lynn and at Florida Atlantic on Jan. 11, 1995. Tyshara Fleming scored 20 to lead the Gators.

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SHAW 64, SAINT LEO 54: The Lions (3-8), who led 29-24 at halftime, couldn't overcome being outscored 29-10 in the third quarter at the Holiday Classic in Boca Raton.

TAMPA 70, FORT VALLEY ST. 44: Elena de Alfredo scored 23, Juliana Cavallaro had 14 and Teresa Kucera added nine off the bench to lead the Spartans (6-6) at the Holiday Classic in Melbourne.

Men: Record for Eckerd

Eckerd topped visiting Tiffin 79-74, the 12th straight win for the Tritons to break the school record for consecutive victories that had stood since the 1972-73 season. Kevin Walsh led Eckerd (12-1) with 19 points, and Jerrick Stevenson, Ray Darnell and Drushaun McLaurn added 10 each.

No. 25 UConn 88, Mass-Lowell 79: Rodney Purvis scored 28 to carry the host Huskies (7-3), who were playing without injured 7-foot center Amida Brimah.

TAMPA 80, E. NEW MEXICO 69: Pat Bacon scored a game-high 18, Austin Rettig added 14 and Marcel Robinson and Darien McClain had 13 each to lead the host Spartans (4-7).

MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS 73, SAINT LEO 71: A 7-0 run by the host Tritons broke a tie at 64 with 3:14 left. Tyreece Brice led the Lions (7-6) with 21 points and Caleb Stewart came off the bench to add 13.