TAMPA, FLA. (WFLA) — USF Women’s Basketball broke a three-game losing skid after defeating ECU 54-40 on Sunday afternoon on Alumni Weekend.
However, it was a rough first half for the Bulls. USF only shot 21% (7 of 33) from the field. Head Coach Jose Fernandez made his message clear at halftime, and the Bulls responded.
“He [Coach] made it very obvious that we were 19% from the court or from the floor. We were not hitting shots and McNeil was I think with 21 or 22 points out of their 26,” said USF forward Romi Levy.
ECU guard Danae McNeil was the Pirates’ X factor. She dropped 21 points in the first half, but when the Bulls adjusted, Aerial Wilson held her to scoring just four more points the rest of the day.
“We had one guy beating us. We lost her on coverages. We needed to have Aerial (Wilson) on the floor to defend her, and quit coming to help to foul or to steal or to block shots. Just play true come to help. Challenge shots,” said USF Head Coach Jose Fernandez.
“The next player was maybe with three points, so Aerial (Wilson) did a great job on McNeil in the second half, and that’s what I think helped us the most, taking her out of the game,” said USF forward Romi Levy.
USF is now riding a 12-game win streak against ECU. The Bulls travel to Memphis on Thursday.
