GoUSFBulls.com Bulls Hit Season-High 11 Three Pointers in Loss at SMU

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

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Bulls Hit Season-High 11 Three Pointers in Loss at SMU

The Bulls committed just 11 turnovers in the setback, a season low

DALLAS, JAN. 7, 2017 – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team (6-8, 0-3 The American) made a season-high 11 three pointers on Saturday afternoon but it wasn’t enough as the Bulls were defeated 84-65 at SMU (14-3, 4-0).

Sophomore guard Troy Holston (Queens, N.Y.) piloted the Bulls’ offense with 20 points, a new career high. Holston also set a career-best with six treys, two shy of matching the program record.

The Bulls started strong with back-to-back threes from junior guard Geno Thorpe (Pittsburgh) and freshman forward Malik Fitts (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) for an early 6-2 advantage.

Trailing 11-10, SMU went on an 18-3 surge midway through the opening half to take their first lead. The Mustangs built the edge up to double digits and entered halftime with a 14 point cushion.

USF started the second half by scoring 11 of the next 13 points, cutting the SMU lead down to five points, 46-41, at the 16:12 mark. The Mustangs followed the Bulls run with a 25-7 stretch on their way to the victory.

Key Stat

• SMU made a season-high 15 three-pointers in the victory.

Notables:

• The Bulls’ 16 assists matched a season-high.
• The +5 assist/turnover margin for USF was a season-best.
• Redshirt freshman forward Tulio Da Silva (Brazil) finished 6-for-6, recording 12 points and nine rebounds. He finished one rebound shy of his third double-double.
• Fitts ended the night with eight points and a career-best four assists.
• Thorpe’s six assists were one shy of tying his career-high.
• USF’s six made three pointers in the first half tied the season high for most in a single half (vs. Kennesaw State, Nov. 28).

Up Next:

The Bulls return home to host Tulane on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com. Fans out of town can catch the game on ESPNU.