Kristy Curry wanted a team that would play hard, share the ball, and make life difficult for the other side.
USF gave her a good first look Monday night, as the Bulls opened the 2026-27 women’s basketball season with an 80-54 win over Furman at the Yuengling Center.
Six players scored in double figures, and USF set the tone with an early burst that put the Paladins on their heels. For Bulls fans who came out on a rainy evening, there was plenty to like.
There was pressure on defense. There were second chances on the boards. And the team was willing to move the ball until someone had a good look.
“I think this is a selfless group right now, and I love how they care about each other and share the basketball,” Curry said.
USF needed just over two minutes to build a 9-0 lead. Hannah Kohn scored five of the nine points during that opening push, helping the Bulls take control before Furman could settle in. The Bulls never trailed.
Kohn’s shooting gave USF an early lift, while Stefanie Ingram and Kendall Puryear helped keep the offense moving. The scoring came from several places, giving Furman more than one problem to solve.
After USF stretched its lead to 37-17, Furman answered with seven straight points. Kohn stopped the run with a 3-pointer, pushing the advantage back to 16.
That was a good early test for a team learning a new system. Furman found some life, and USF answered.
The Bulls carried a 46-32 lead into halftime. They also held a 27-11 edge in rebounds, including a 12-4 advantage on the offensive glass.
Those extra possessions helped USF stay in charge even when the game got a little loose.
This USF team will apply pressure. Get used to seeing it. Curry wants her team to change looks, speed up opponents, and turn stops into easier shots at the other end.
“We don’t want people to be comfortable,” Curry said. That approach gives USF a chance to score before a defense gets set, and it demands effort from everyone on the floor.
USF finished with 20 offensive rebounds and roughly twice as many total rebounds as Furman. Six double-figure scorers and 18 assists showed how often the Bulls found help from a teammate.
Fans will have a lot to enjoy in that brand of basketball this season. Players are moving. The ball is moving. Nobody has to carry every possession.
Still, Curry saw room for improvement.
She was unhappy that Furman outscored USF in the second quarter. The Bulls’ response after halftime pleased her, especially their work on defense.
“I’d always rather defend and rebound,” Curry said.
Effort on defense and the glass has to travel with this team every game.
Stefanie Ingram’s value goes beyond running the offense. For Curry, the returning guard is also showing the rest of the roster how to work.
“She’s just been a joy to coach,” Curry said.
When Curry arrived, keeping the current players invested mattered. Ingram made her commitment clear, and the relationship has grown from there.
“She has believed in us,” Curry said.
Curry praised Ingram’s leadership, daily habits, and willingness to do extra work. She also pointed to the value of having an experienced player at point guard as the Bulls learn a new offense. That trust matters with so many new faces.
USF needs players who can settle the group, make the right pass and keep competing when the score gets lopsided. Ingram gave Curry reasons to feel good about that role Monday. “She plays really hard,” Curry said.
The win also reminded everyone that USF is still growing. The Bulls committed 21 turnovers. For a team that wants to play fast, cutting down those mistakes could create even more scoring chances.
Curry sees the potential.
“So we do want to play fast,” she said.
The goal is to take the first open shot and keep opponents from getting comfortable. Finding the right balance between speed and control will take time.
Curry also made sure to recognize the crowd, band, cheerleaders, Sun Dolls and SoFlo Rodeo for helping give her first USF game a special feel.
“I’m just honored to be here,” she said.
Next Up
The Bulls now head to Nashville to face Belmont on Friday, Nov. 6, at 8:30 p.m., followed by Rhode Island on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. These next two games will give USF another chance to build on its opener.
For now, Bulls fans can feel good about what they saw: a team that shared the scoring, chased rebounds and played with purpose.
The 26-point win was the 4th-largest margin of victory for a USF coach making their debut.