USF defeated Houston 77-54 in Tuesday women’s basketball action around the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls improved to 6-7 (1-1) with the win while the Cougars fell to 4-9 (0-2) with the loss.

Inga Orekhova had a game-high 18 points for USF including a 6-for-8 outing from three-point range. Alisia Jenkins added her sixth double-double of the year (15 points, 13 rebounds) while Ariadna Pujol chipped in with 14 points off the bench.

Alecia Smith paced Houston with a season-high 15 points. Demetria Foreman added 12 points.

 The Cougars led 31-30 at the break but USF outscored Houston 47-23 in the second half and limited the Cougars to seven field goals that stanza.

Three games are on the slate for Wednesday, Jan. 1. Cincinnati hosts SMU at 1 p.m., No. 1/1 UConn travels to UCF (4 p.m. ET, SNY/ESPN3) and Temple faces No. 7/7 Louisville at McGonigle Hall at 4 p.m. eastern. The game will air live on ESPN3.