Tampa, Fla. - The Stetson women's basketball team (1-1) controlled the run of play for most of the first half but eventually succumbed to a deluge of USF (2-1) defensive pressure and transition baskets in a 80-42 loss Wednesday evening at the Sun Dome.  The Hatters were winning with 6:10 left in the half.  Freshman forward Sasha Sims (Fayetteville, Ga.) led the Hatters with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Stetson got off to a very strong start, playing with and even ahead of their Big East hosts for much of the first 15 minutes.  Sophomore guard Victoria McGowan (Inkster, Mich.) found holes in the USF pressure defense for four assists in the first half and the tide didn't turn in USF's favor until well after she exited with her second foul at the 11:47 mark. 

Porche Grant's layup with 5:19 to go in the first half put the Bulls ahead 21-19; USF would soon force a turnover and get another basket as part of a 13-0 run that gave it a 36-23 lead going into the locker room.

USF simply overwhelmed Stetson in the second half, outscoring the Hatters 44-19 after intermission.  Sophomore guard Tierra Brown (Orlando, Fla.) tied for Stetson's scoring high with 11 points, going over 800 for her career.  Senior forward Jessica Conner (Cocoa, Fla.) and sophomore forward Janelle Mills (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) grabbed seven rebounds each, as did Sims; McGowan finished with five assists and four steals.

Andrea Smith led five Bulls in double figures with 13 points and seven rebounds while Kaneisha Saunders had 13 points and six assists.  Porche Grant (10 points, 10 rebounds), Leondra Doomes-Stephens (12 points) and Jasmine Wynne (10 points) also played solidly to lead USF to the victory.

The Hatters host Georgia State at 3 p.m. Sunday.  Live Stats and Hatter Vision are available at GoHatters.com; follow Stetson Social Media (Facebook - Stetson Athletics, Twitter - @StetsonSID, YouTube - StetsonHatters) for more updates.