TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Defense saved the day for Texas Tech.

Keitha Dickerson scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half as the Lady Raiders (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 7 AP) overcame a lackluster offensive performance to beat South Florida 60-44 Friday night, the Bulls' first loss of the season.

The Lady Raiders (8-0), off to the best start in school history, forced 27 turnovers and limited South Florida to 39 percent shooting (20-of-52).

"Something that remained constant was our defense," Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp said. "That was our strength, and it has been all year. It was the reason we were able to win."

Texas Tech led by just two points at halftime, but took control with a 10-2 run to start the second half. Dickerson had eight points in the run that gave the Lady Raiders a 33-23 lead.

"We tried to step up and accept the challenge. ... We knew we struggled in the first half," Dickerson said.

Monica Echeverria had 16 points for South Florida (7-1).

"Very, very disappointing second half," South Florida coach Jerry Ann Winters said. "We let down, without a doubt. In the second half, we came out and didn't play hard on the defensive end, and didn't convert shots on the offensive end."

The Bulls also hurt themselves at the free throw line, going 2-of-11. Texas Tech was 8-of-10.

Texas Tech shot 28 percent (10-of-36) and committed 10 turnovers in the first half. Sandwiched between scoring droughts of seven and 15 possessions, Texas Tech overcame a 5-0 deficit with a run that gave it a 19-7 lead with 11 minutes left. South Florida scored the next 12 points to tie it 19-19.

A layup and jumper by Aleah Johnson, who had 14 points, gave Texas Tech its halftime lead.