The University of South Florida's women's basketball team faced a tough challenge against the formidable No. 14 Vanderbilt, and the result was a hard-fought battle.
The game was a tale of two halves. On December 15th, 2025, inside Nashville's Memorial Gymnasium, the USF Bulls (6-5) put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell to the undefeated Commodores (10-0) by a score of 87-58. Stefanie Ingram, a standout player, led the way for the Bulls, scoring a game-high 23 points, but it wasn't enough to secure the victory. And here's where it gets interesting: Ingram was the lone USF player to reach double digits, showcasing her individual brilliance.
The game started with a bang for the Bulls, as they raced to a 7-2 lead. Ingram and Fatou Diakite combined for a quick start, but Vanderbilt responded with a 9-0 run to close out the first half, taking an 11-7 lead. But the Bulls weren't discouraged; they held Vanderbilt to just 11 points in the first quarter, their fewest in a quarter this season. And this is the part most people miss: South Florida's defense was on full display, setting the tone for a competitive game.
As the game progressed, Vanderbilt began to pull away. They extended their lead to 26-11, but the Bulls fought back, ending the half on a 14-12 run to narrow the deficit to 38-25. The Bulls' defense was impressive, holding the Commodores to 38 points in the first half, a notable achievement.
The third quarter saw Vanderbilt increase their lead to 56-31. However, the Bulls refused to back down, outscoring Vanderbilt 11-6 to end the quarter. Ingram was instrumental in this comeback attempt, scoring seven points. But the Commodores responded in the fourth quarter, outscoring South Florida 25-16 to seal the victory.
Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes led her team with 19 points, while Sacha Washington and Justine Pissott contributed 16 and 13 points, respectively. Aubrey Galvan and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points each.
Some key takeaways from this game:
- South Florida's defense deserves recognition for limiting Vanderbilt to 11 points in the first quarter.
- The Bulls' ability to hold the Commodores to 38 points in the first half is a testament to their defensive prowess.
- Stefanie Ingram's performance was exceptional, reaching double figures for the sixth time this season.
Looking ahead, the USF Bulls will return home to the Yuengling Center for a highly anticipated matchup against No. 3 South Carolina on December 18th, airing on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.
USF women's basketball has a rich history, with 19 postseason tournament appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament berths over the past 25 seasons. The team has achieved 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and claimed the 2008-09 WNIT title.
Will the Bulls bounce back from this loss and continue their impressive legacy? Stay tuned to find out! And feel free to share your predictions in the comments below. Do you think the Bulls can pull off an upset against South Carolina? Let's get the conversation started!
