TAMPA, Fla. — The HCU women's basketball team came out firing offensively at the Yuengling Center on Friday morning, taking a three-point lead in the second quarter and hanging close with preseason American Athletic Conference favorite South Florida before the Bulls pulled away late in a 91-58 final.

During the first quarter, HCU (3-4) came out shooting 66.7 percent from the field, highlighted by three early threes from junior Tove Caesar. The Huskies matched South Florida (6-4) shot for shot to close the period tied at 19–19. In the second quarter, the Huskies took a 22-21 lead following an early Sidney Carr three-pointer with Jordan Jackson pushing that lead to three on the team's next possession following a defensive stop. The Bulls pushed their lead to nine in the quarter but HCU out-scored the hosts, 6-2, over the final two and a half minutes to go into the half trailing by just five, 40-35.

In the third quarter, USF began to create separation with a 25-point effort fueled by paint touches and free throws. HCU knocked down three threes in the period but faced a 65–53 deficit heading into the fourth. The Bulls then closed the game with a 26–5 run to secure the final margin.

Tove Caesar led HCU with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc, and matched her career-high with five assists. Grace Booth added 10 points and four rebounds while going 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Jackson contributed seven points while Hannah Field, Madelyne Davis and Dasia Hyams all finished with six..

As a team, HCU shot 40.4 percent (21-of-52) from the field and 35 percent (7-of-20) from three, while the Bulls countered with 51.7 percent (31-of-60) shooting and a 48–26 advantage in the paint.

L'or Mputu paced South Florida with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Kirsten Lewis-Williams added 15.

HCU returns to action next week, hosting Southeastern on Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Sharp Gym for a Southland Conference matchup.