No. 23 South Florida women pull away from Stetson, 74-60

Dec 30, 2016, 09:18 pm

TAMPA, Fla. -- Maria Jespersen scored a career-best 26 points and had 15 rebounds as No. 23 South Florida pulled away in the third quarter and cruised to a 74-60 victory over Stetson on Friday night.

Jespersen shot 10 of 19 from the floor. Kitija Laksa added 20 points on 8-of-26 shooting for the Bulls (11-1). Tamara Henshaw had 12 points and 13 rebounds for her first career double-double.

Brittney Chambers scored 18 points to lead Stetson (11-4). Brianti Saunders added 14 points.

South Florida held a 31-29 halftime lead and used a 25-15 third-quarter run to stretch it to 56-44. Tamara Henshaw and Jespersen scored six points apiece in the third quarter. The Hatters pulled to 64-55 with six minutes left but didn't get closer.

South Florida is 5-0 at home, and hosts Tulsa on Jan. 7 to open its American Athletic Conference schedule. Stetson hosts Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 7 in an Atlantic Sun Conference opener.