TAMPA, Fla. – South Florida went on an early run fueled by five made three-pointers as they defeated the Catamounts 102-55 Monday night in non-conference action from the Yuengling Center. With the win the Bulls improved to 9-2 while the Catamounts dropped to 4-6 after losing their first road tilt this season.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"South Florida is a very good team with lots of experience and we saw that firsthand tonight," said head coach Alisa Kresge. "We will take the good from this game, learn from the ugly and keep working to get better." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Things started well for the Catamounts Josie Larkins stepped up and hit a deep three 22 seconds into the game. Hanna Crymble added a layup for a solid 5-3 start for Vermont. The Bulls responded with a 17-0 run fueled by 10 first quarter points from Alyssa Rader to take a 28-7 lead after 10 minutes.
• Larkins scored eight points in the second quarter as the Catamounts hung tough against the Bulls. Carmen Handy and Lauren Handy chipped in a combined seven points but USF built their advantage to 23 at the half.
• South Florida's hot shooting continued in the third quarter. The Bulls hit five of their seven three-point attempts in the frame while overall shooting a blistering 73.3% from the field.
• USF outscored Vermont by 13 in the fourth quarter building a game-high 47-point advantage that stood as the final score 102-55

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Cassidy Derda returned from injury Monday night seeing her first game action since November 18.
• The fourth quarter saw a pair of firsts for Vermont freshmen. Guard Eva Widmeyer scored her first collegiate points and Abby Settelmeyer made her debut in a Vermont uniform. 

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns to action on Friday (Dec. 21) afternoon as they face Canisius College at 2 p.m. in Buffalo, NY. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can access ESPN+ with a seven-day free trial, followed by a subscription fee of $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with the ability to cancel at any time. Fans can also listen to the contest on AM-620 WVMT with Maura Sheridan on the call.
 
Team Nissan North is the presenting sponsor of the 2018-19 women's basketball season.