Fernandez Becomes USF Basketball’s All-Time Winningest Coach
TAMPA, Fla. (December 28, 2008) – University of South Florida head women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez made history today becoming the school’s all-time winningest basketball coach – for both the men’s and women’s program – with the Bulls’ 110-51 win over Jackson State at the Sun Dome. Fernandez improved his career coaching record to 128-124 and in doing so surpassed former men’s coach Bobby Paschal who guided the men’s basketball team to 127 wins in 10 seasons (286 games).
In addition, USF (12-1) stretched their winning streak to eight games while also improving its record home winning streak to 12 games dating back to last season. The Bulls’ 12-1 start is the best in school history.
USF used its momentum coming off of a commanding 100-47 victory last Sunday over Southern University just before the Christmas break. The Bulls made no doubt that they were going to take control of the game and not let go as they proceeded to score a record 73 points in the first half while holding the Lady Tigers to just 22. USF’s first half total surpassed the previous record of 69 in a half originally set against Morris Brown on Nov. 3, 2001. The Green and Gold have scored 60 points in a half three time this season.
During the first half onslaught, the Bulls had two players – Jazmine Sepulveda and Janae Stokes – score 21 and 20 points respectively just shy of Jackson State’s 22-point total.
Sepulveda finished the game with a game-high 26 points along with four assists. She also grabbed three steals in the win. It was Sepulveda’s 10th game this season scoring in double figures out of 13 games on the year.
Stokes finished with just her 20 first half points on 7-12 shooting, including a blistering 6-10 from three-point range. She also came away with five rebounds and four assists.
Jessica Lawson posted just the Bulls’ second double-double of the year with 10 rebounds and career-high 16 points.
Defensively, Porche Grant was a factor on the glass nine rebounds, Dalembert finished with five and Brittany Denson had seven. The team also forced 27 turnovers on the afternoon leading to 41 points and had 14 steals.
For the Lady Tigers (3-7), Erlexis Cooper paced the way with 18 points, and Beatrice Banks added 11 points in the losing effort. Phenicia Taylor grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Up next for USF is a trip to New Orleans for its non-conference finale to take on Tulane on Dec 30 at 8 p.m. (EST)/7 p.m. CST. The Bulls will open BIG EAST play on Jan. 3 when they face Marquette in Milwaukee at 8 p.m. (EST/7 p.m. (CST)
USF Postgame Notes
- USF improves its record to 12-1 marking the best start in program history.
- The Bulls’ 110 points marks the fifth time this season that they have hit the century mark and the third time in the past four games … It is also the eighth time this season that they have held their opponents to fewer than 60 points.
- USF was 15-31 from three-point range in the win … The 15 trey’s made is tied for the fourth most made in Division I this season.
- USF won its third game of the season against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) this season (3-0) and improve its all-time record against the conference to 6-0.
- USF finishes its non-conference home record 10-0.
- Ashley Sanders earned her sixth career start today against Jackson State.
- Allyson Speed scored a career-high nine points in the win.
Walk-ons Crystal Ayers and Erin Moody scored their first career baskets in a Bulls uniform each netting two points against Jackson State.