Sammie Puisis Leads USF Women’s Basketball to Victory Over Duke

Game Highlights

Sammie Puisis scored nine of her 23 points in the final seven minutes to secure a 65-56 win for the USF women’s basketball team against ninth-ranked Duke. L’or Mputu contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls.

Key Players

Duke, with a record of 10-3, kept fighting back but fell short despite Toby Fournier’s 11 points and eight rebounds. USF’s Vittoria Blasigh and Carla Brito added 10 points each to the scoreboard.

Milestone Wins

This victory marked USF’s first win over a ranked opponent in two years and their first triumph against a top 10 team in three years. The Bulls had previously defeated No. 17 Arkansas and No. 7 Stanford.

Game Turning Point

As Duke closed in on the lead, Sammie Puisis delivered a crucial long-range 3-point shot to extend USF’s advantage to 60-48, securing the win.

Upcoming Matches

Duke: Resumes play in the Atlantic Coast Conference against Boston College on Jan. 2.

USF: Hosts Charlotte in the American Athletic Conference opener on Jan. 1.

Key Stats

Puisis showcased her shooting prowess by making six of nine field goals along with perfect 3-pointers and free throws. Duke struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 23.5%.

Conclusion

USF’s victory over Duke showcased their resilience and ability to maintain a lead under pressure. Puisis’s performance was instrumental in securing the win, highlighting the team’s potential for a successful season ahead.

FAQs

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Times staff writer Joey Knight contributed to this report.

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer