Tampa— USF guard Andrea Smith matched a career high 33 points, however it wasn’t enough for the Bulls as they were defeated in overtime 75-71 versus the No. 2 team in the country, Notre Dame.
Notre Dame pulled ahead by seven with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Bulls were able to overcome the deficit in the waning moments of regulation, as with 53 seconds left Andrea Smith tied the score at 63 apiece.
USF had possession with 14 seconds left and the game still tied. Head coach Jose Fernandez drew up a play for Andrea Smith, who had the hot hand, but she couldn’t convert on a layup and the game went into overtime.
Just 33 seconds into the extra frame, Andrea’s twin sister Andrell fouled out. Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw said the game might have ended differently had that not happened.
“I really think that if 12 (Smith) hadn’t fouled out of the game, they would have won,” Muffet said.
That doesn’t make this loss feel any better for the Bulls however, as USF’s record now drops to 11-3 on the season and 0-1 in Big East conference play.
USF hits the road for its next game versus DePaul on Saturday, January 12th for an 8:00 PM tip, before the Bulls return home for Cincinnati on Tuesday, January 15th.