The University of South Florida men's basketball team erased a 14-point deficit against Rice on Tuesday. Kasen Jennings recorded a season-high as four different USF players finished in double figures in the Bulls' 69-64 victory over the Owls.
The Bulls improved to 11-10 overall and 4-4 in American Athletic Conference play. Rice fell to 11-10 overall and 2-6 in conference action. Jennings recorded the most points of his career as a Bull with 17 points. He added two assists and two steals. Quincy Ademokoya recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. He produced two steals, one block, and one assist. Kobe Knox finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Jayden Reid closed out the double-digit scorers with 12 points. He chipped in with four rebounds, a team-high three assists, and two steals. Brandon Stroud notched a game-high three steals.
As a team, the Bulls had eight players record at least one steal, and six players record two or more steals. For the 16th time this season, the USF bench outscored its opponent's bench. The Bulls outscored the Owls in points off turnovers (26-10), points in the paint (34-24), fastbreak points (15-2), and bench points (26-17). South Florida forced 19 turnovers, tying the most turnovers by Rice this season. USF only had eight turnovers for the game, with only one coming in the second half.
The Owls jumped out to an early 11-5 lead, but the Bulls were unfazed. South Florida scored the following six points to tie it at 11-11. Stroud accounted for four points, while Knox recorded an emphatic slam dunk.
Rice held a 14-point lead with 2:12 left in the first half. The remainder of the first half was a defensive battle as Rice took a 32-24 lead into the half. The Bulls shot 33.3 percent from the field and from 3-point range in the first stanza. The Owls shot 35.5 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from 3-point range.
South Florida scored more points off turnovers (12-8), points in the paint (12-10), and fastbreak points (4-0). The USF defense forced 11 turnovers in the first half.
The Bulls started the second half strong. USF utilized a 14-2 run to open the stanza and took a 39-34 lead. During the run, Ademokoya and Reid accounted for five points each. Kameren Wright recorded a steal and took it the distance for the slam dunk in transition.
After holding a 52-47 lead, the Bulls went on a 9-2 run. During that stretch, South Florida recorded to highlight dunks. Reid recorded a steal on the defensive end and started the fastbreak for USF. Reid sent Brown a bounce pass around a defender, which led to a thunderous dunk from Brown.
Reid produced another steal that led to another highlight dunk. Reid dished it ahead to Jennings, who pushed it down the court. Once Jennings felt pressure at the free-throw line, he dropped off a no-look bounce pass to Knox for the dunk.
South Florida closed out the game with a 69-64 victory. The 14-point deficit was the largest comeback this season for USF.
Denver Anglin led the Owls with 17 points. He added three rebounds and two steals. Trae Broadnax added 12 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Andrew Akuchie and Caden Powell led the team with eight rebounds.
Notables
· Kasen Jennings recorded the most points of his career as a Bull with 17 points. His eighth game in double figures this season.
· Kobe Knox produced a 13-point performance. It was his 12th game of the season in double digits. · The Bulls are 15-0 at home when Knox finishes in double figures.
· Quincy Ademokoya recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
· Jayden Reid finished with 12 points, his 13th game in double figures.
· The Bulls' bench outscored the opponents for the 16th game of the season.
· For the second time this season, the Bulls had eight players record at least one steal.
Up Next
South Florida returns to the hardwood for a road matchup with Florida Atlantic on Sunday, February 2. The Bulls and Owls are slated for a 2 p.m. jump on ESPN2.
