USF women lead from start to finish, top Jacksonville

TAMPA — Elena Tsineke scored 22, Bethy Mununga had 21 points and 12 rebounds and No. 22 USF led from the outset to beat Jacksonville 70-57 Wednesday.

Tsineke scored 16 first-half points when the Bulls (10-4) built a double-digit first-half lead that it maintained except until the Dolphins got within nine late in the fourth. Tsineke finished 8-of-14 shooting, making three 3-pointers.

Mununga posted her fourth double double this season, and Maria Alvarez scored 12, all off 3-pointers. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu grabbed 11 rebounds to go with eight points.

Taylor Hawks scored 17 to lead the Dolphins (7-4), playing their first game since Dec. 13. Jacksonville outshot USF overall, but the Bulls were 9-of-21 from long range to the Dolphins’ 2-of-12 and held the rebounding advantage 40-26.

The teams combined to make 22 of 23 free throws, with USF going 13-for-13, including eight by Mununga.

Before the game, USF honored coach Jose Fernandez for his 400th career win, achieved Dec. 17. The ceremony included video tributes from the likes of UConn coach Geno Auriemma, Tulane coach Lisa Stockton, ESPN and CBS Sports analyst Debbie Antonelli, and USF Hall of Famer and WNBA All-Star Courtney Williams, among others.

Men: USF, UF, FSU call off games

Florida and Florida State had their conference games scheduled for Wednesday postponed, and USF canceled its home game against Mississippi Valley State due to a virus outbreak within the Delta Devils’ program. UF’s game at Mississippi, the SEC opener for both teams, was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Gators’ program. A makeup date had not been determined. FSU’s game in the ACC at Boston College was postponed due to virus issues within the Eagles’ program. The game had not yet been rescheduled.

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