TAMPA - USF led for a total of 28 seconds as the Wildcats upset American Conference opponent USF, 77-69, Wednesday night at the Yuengling Center. It is the first win over the USF for the Wildcats since 2005.
FIRST HALF
The Wildcats (3-8) raced out to a 7-0 lead immediately thanks to five early points by
Reggie Ward Jr.
The Bulls (5-6) caught up at with a Jimmie Williams layup at the 10-minute mark that made it 14-10, B-CU, but a missed USF three turned into a fast break dunk by Ward to bring the Wildcat lead back up to nine at 21-12.
The offenses slowed a bit for each team, but three-pointers down the stretch from
Trey Thomas and
Seneca Willoughby kept the Cats in front as they headed into halftime up 32-29.
Neither side shot better than 40 percent in the first half, but a B-CU's 4-7 mark from three was the difference over just 2-12 from deep for the Bulls.
SECOND HALF
A quick Bulls three, followed by a steal and dunk by Jamille Reynolds trimmed the Wildcat lead to just one at 35-34 two minutes into the second half.
A USF three by Jayden Reid gave the Bulls their first - and only - lead of the night at 37-35, but B-CU took that bucket back as Ward's fast break layup made it 37-all.
From there, the Wildcats ran up an 11-1 run, closed out by 8 straight from Thomas, to go in front, 48-37 with 14 minutes to play.
USF would come as close as 58-54 with eight to go, but an emphatic dunk by Ward put an exclamation point on a dominant second half that saw the Wildcats cruise to the 77-69 win.
- For the second straight game, four Wildcats scored in double figures on the night. This time, it was Ward leading the way with 19 on 7-10 shooting, followed by Thomoas and Freeman with 18 each, and Rouzan with 12.
- Ward posted his fourth double-double of the year, adding to his 19-point outint 10 reobunds, as well as an assist and four steals.
- Freeman, Rozan, Carralero-Martin, and Ward each grabbed at least five boards.
- Trey Thomas dished out six assists, Freeman chipped in five.
- Jesus Carralero Martin blocked four shots on the night.
- B-CU made 22 of 24 free throws on the night.
- USF shot just 26 percent from three.
- B-CU scored 15 points on the fast break.
The Wildcats remain on the road, heading to Davidson to take on the Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. EST.
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