TAMPA, Fla. — Kitija Laksa scored 13 of her 25 points in the first quarter, Laura Ferreira and Shae Leverett had double-doubles, and No. 22 South Florida rolled to a 98-55 victory over Arkansas State on Friday night.
Ferreira had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Leverett 13 and 10. Maria Jespersen scored 19 points for the Bulls (3-0) and reached 500 career rebounds. Alba Prieto had 12 points and Laia Flores 11 assists.
South Florida scored the first nine points and made its first eight shots, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Laksa, to lead 19-5. The Bulls added a 9-0 run and led 30-10 after one quarter. Laksa had 3 threes and USF was 10 of 17 from the field while the Red Wolves were 3 of 13. South Florida shot 49.3 percent from the floor (34 of 69) and made 11 of 35 three pointers. The Bulls held Arkansas Stte to 25.4 percent shooting (17 of 67) including 7 of 19 on three pointers.
South Florida outscored Arkansas State 24-10 in the lane, scored 24 points off 14 Arkansas State turnovers and had five steals. Of their 34 field goals, 22 came off assists. Arkansas State shaved six points off the deficit in the second quarter but South Florida dominated the second half, especially the fourth quarter. The Bulls went 12 of 23 in the last 10 minutes and Arkansas State was 2 of 16.
Akasha Westbrook had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Arkansas State (1-2) but the Red Wolves were out-rebounded 56-36.