Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
USF
Women's Basketball Drops 66-57 Decision at USF
2/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. - Despite Christina Quaye's 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, the Golden Eagles dropped a 66-57 decision to South Florida in Tampa tonight. She was 9-of-13 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from three-point land.
"We're disappointed, but we need to regroup for another tough game at home on Sunday." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "We shot the ball well, but made 16 turnovers and USF was able to take advantage of our mistakes. They were able to get 12 more opportunities at the basket and that makes a tough task of winning on the road even tougher."
After a Quaye bucket on Marquette's first possession, USF scored the next 11 points. A Jasmine McCullough jumper from the elbow with 14:55 left ended the run.
USF took its biggest lead of the half - 11 points - after a bucket with 13:15 left made it 15-4. But the Golden Eagles would respond with an 10-2 run over the next 4:48, capped by a fastbreak layup by Carolyn Kieger, cutting the deficit to 17-14.
But USF would respond with an 9-2 push of its own, taking a 26-16 advantage with 3:47 left in the frame. Erin Monfre would heat up in the closing minutes of the half - burying two three-pointers - the second of which cut the Golden Eagles' deficit to just four, at 30-26, with 1:39 left. South Florida would eventually take a 32-26 lead into the locker room at the break.
In the second half, both teams played even basketball for the first seven minutes of the game before a Krystal Ellis spin move, followed by a pretty pass to Quaye made it a four point ballgame - at 41-38 - with 12:46 to go.
Quaye hit a three with 9:14 left, beginning a stretch in which she scored eight straight points for the Golden Eagles, including a bucket which tied the game at 50-50 with 6:02 to play.
Both MU and USF traded baskets for the next five minutes, before the Bulls' Jessica Dickson - the nation's leading scorer - hit a three at the top of the key with 1:44 to go, which put USF up 61-56. They sealed the victory - the first in 12 tries against Marquette dating back to when both teams were members of Conference USA - with late free throws.
Jasmine McCullough added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Krystal Ellis had 10 points and a career-best seven assists. Danielle Kamm added six rebounds.
For the game, Marquette shot 47.1% (24-51), including just 4-of-19 from the perimeter. They hit 5-of-9 free throws and narrowly outrebounded the Bulls, 36-35. The Golden Eagles committed 16 turnovers. With the loss, MU drops to 16-7 overall and 7-5 in BIG EAST play.
Marquette returns to action on Sunday at the Al McGuire Center, when they host Georgetown. Tipoff time is set for 2 p.m.
