A tough battle ended in a loss for the USF Women's Basketball team against No. 14 Vanderbilt, despite a standout performance.
On Monday, December 15, 2025, the University of South Florida women's basketball team faced off against the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores in a hard-fought game at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. Although the Bulls showed determination throughout the 40-minute contest, they ultimately fell to Vanderbilt with a final score of 87-58.
Stefanie Ingram was the shining star for USF, delivering a game-high 23 points. She wasn't alone in her efforts, contributing four assists, four rebounds, and a steal. Other key contributors included Katie Davidson, who scored 9 points and led the team with 6 rebounds, and Raina Tomasicka, who added 8 points to the scoreboard. Additionally, Carla Brito and Ines Piper each recorded a block for the Bulls, showcasing their defensive prowess.
The game started with promise for the Bulls, as they jumped to an early 7-2 lead. Stefanie Ingram was instrumental in this initial surge, scoring the first 5 points for USF, with Fatou Diakite adding a driving layup. However, Vanderbilt responded with a 9-0 run to close out the first half, taking an 11-7 lead into the second quarter. The Bulls managed to hold Vandy to their lowest-scoring quarter of the season, with only 11 points.
But here's where it gets controversial...Vanderbilt extended their lead to 26-11 midway through the second quarter, yet USF fought back, outscoring Vandy 14-12 to end the half. This brought the score to 38-25, with the Bulls limiting the Commodores to just 38 points in the first half, tying for the third-fewest points allowed in a half this season. The Commodores, however, managed to pull away in the second half, stretching their lead further. At the media timeout, the score was 56-31. The Bulls continued to battle, outscoring the Commodores 11-6 to close out the quarter, with Ingram contributing 7 points. Vanderbilt ultimately secured the victory, outscoring South Florida 25-16 in the fourth quarter to reach the final score of 87-58.
On the Vanderbilt side, Mikayla Blakes led the charge with 19 points, supported by Sacha Washington with 16 points, and Justine Pissott with 13. Aubrey Galvan contributed 11 points, and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda added 10 points.
Key Takeaways:
- USF held Vanderbilt to their lowest-scoring quarter of the game, with 11 points in the first quarter.
- The Bulls limited the Commodores to 38 points in the first half, tying for the third-fewest points allowed in a half this season.
- Stefanie Ingram had a team-high 23 points, marking her sixth game this season with double-digit scoring.
Up Next:
The Bulls will return to the Yuengling Center for a nationally televised game on Thursday, December 18, facing No. 3 South Carolina at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
About South Florida Women's Basketball:
Stay updated with the USF women's basketball team by following them on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visiting GoUSFBulls.com for the latest news.
Michele Woods-Baxter is currently serving as the interim head coach for the USF women's basketball team. The program boasts a rich history, with 19 postseason tournament appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament berths over the past 25 seasons. They have achieved 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and secured the 2008-09 WNIT championship.
What are your thoughts on the game? Do you think USF can bounce back in their next game against South Carolina? Share your opinions in the comments below!
