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Grace 30, Teammates 20

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 17, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida guard Shantia Grace became the first player this season to score 30 points against No. 5 Rutgers.

And it was nowhere near enough for the Bulls as the Scarlet Knights routed USF 71-50 Saturday before 2,151 at the Sun Dome.

Playing for the first time since Monday's controversial last-second loss at No. 1 Tennessee - Rutgers lost when UT hit two free throws after the clock seemed to pause with two-tenths of a second left, allowing a foul to be called - the Scarlet Knights steadily pulled away from the Bulls.

"Rutgers definitely bounced back on a solid note after the Tennessee situation," USF coach Jose Fernandez said.

Grace hit eight of 15 shots, including five of seven 3-pointers, but her teammates were 7-for-37 from the field and 3-for-17 from 3-point range.

"I don't know what we were doing, to tell you the truth," Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said about the Scarlet Knights' defensive effort on Grace.

Grace was able to keep the Bulls (12-12, 2-9 Big East) close until Rutgers (20-4, 10-1) broke free late in the first half. Tied at 25, Heather Zurich converted a 4-point play that keyed a 14-5 run to end the half, putting the Scarlet Knights up 39-30.

Grace had 22 of USF's 30 first-half points, but was limited to eight points in the second half.

"They're a really good team," Grace said. "We had to play almost a perfect game. We just had to fight back and make shots and we couldn't get in a rhythm in the second half offensively."

Jazmine Sepulveda added 10 points for the Bulls, who have five games remaining and are 1 1/2 games out of 12th place, the final position that receives a bid to the Big East Tournament.

The Scarlet Knights, who were led by Matee Ajavon's 14 points, shot a season-high 61.9 percent.

"Rutgers played as good as an offensive game as we've seen all year," Fernandez said. "They showed why they're ranked fifth in the country.

"Let's be realistic: Everyone on their team is a McDonald's All-American. For us to be successful, we have to make shots and do better than we did. We have to challenge and contest shots."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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