GoUSFBulls.com After Fast Start, Bulls Hold Off Owls

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS

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After Fast Start, Bulls Hold Off Owls

Redshirt freshman Tulio Da Silva scores a career-high 17 points.

 

TAMPA, NOV. 28, 2016 – After mounting its largest halftime lead in the Orlando Antigua era, the USF men’s basketball team held on to defeat Kennesaw State, 71-69, Monday at the Sun Dome.

 

The Bulls (3-2) shot a blistering 72.0 percent from the field in the first half, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range, and led 48-27 at the break. It was the largest halftime lead for the Bulls since a 43-23 lead against UCF on March 4, 2015, in Antigua’s first season at USF.

 

The Owls (2-5) scored 14 of the first 15 points in the second half to cut the Bulls’ lead to 49-41, four minutes into the period. USF led, 63-51, with 5:59 remaining, before going over four minutes without a field goal. During that period, KSU scored 11 unanswered points to make it a one-point game, 63-62, with 2:19 left to play.

 

The score remained close down the stretch. A free throw by Luis Santos (Bronx, N.Y.), who finished in double-figures for the second consecutive game with 10 points, gave USF a 71-67 lead with 15 seconds remaining. A layup by KSU’s Johannes Nielsen made it a two-point game, 71-69, with five seconds on the clock. After two missed free throws by junior guard Jake Bodway (Bloomington, Minn.), KSU possessed the ball, under USF’s basket, with three seconds to play. Kyle Clarke’s 35-foot shot came up empty as the Bulls held on for the win.

 

USF was without usual starter Bo Zeigler (Detroit) due to illness and was led by its underclassmen. All, but 18 points were scored by its freshmen and sophomores, including a career-high 17 points by redshirt freshman forward Tulio Da Silva. The Brazilian was 7-of-10 from the field and also finished with a team-high seven rebounds.

 

Sophomore guard Troy Holston (Queens) finished 4-of-5 from 3-point range after connecting on his first four attempts from deep. Junior guard Geno Thorpe (Pittsburgh) scored 12 points, his fifth game in double-figures, and had a career-high seven assists. Freshman guard Michael Bibby (Phoenix) also had a career-high assist total with six to go with eight points.

 

 

Quotables

USF head coach Orlando Antigua
On difference in first and second half:

“We made a lot of shots in the first half. We shared the ball and we executed. In the second half they made some adjustments. With a young team you have to learn how to continue to compete and not look at the score when you have a lead like that. I think now they’ll listen a little bit.”

 

On importance of team showing resilience:

“It’s big, especially when you’re getting ready to go on a road swing. For a young team to battle and continue to grow and develop, you can see what Tulio was able to do, Mike Bibby, and I thought Geno did a lot of nice things. It was great to see Troy making some shots and getting involved a little bit in there. All those guys helping each other out and getting rebounds. Luis gave us some huge valuable minutes coming off the bench. Malik Fitts now starting to get his legs under him after being away for a little bit. We’re going to need everyone to contribute and everyone to be at their best for us to continue to improve.

 

On Tulio Da Silva:

“His rebounding is really good. His defense still has a ways to go. He’s simplifying the game. He’s such a talent and his best basketball is still a way ahead of him. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of what we think he could become for us.”

 

On Michael Bibby:

“I think Mike has done a phenomenal job in the roles that we’ve needed and the amount of minutes we’ve asked him to play. Whether it be starting or coming off the bench, there’s just a great feeling and great IQ about him.”

 

Key Stats

·   USF outscored KSU, 48-27, in the first half. KSU outscored USF, 42-23, in the second half.

·   USF made six 3-pointers in the first half, the same amount of field goals it made in the second half.

Notables:

·   USF improved to 1-0 all-time against Kennesaw State.

·   KSU’s Kendrick Ray, who entered the game averaging 22.3 points per game, was held to 17 points.

·   USF outscored KSU in the paint, 32-28. The Bulls have outscored four of their five opponents in the paint.

·   USF’s first half shooting percentage of 72.0, was its highest in a half since shooting 62.5 percent in the second half against Jacksonville on Dec. 13, 2015.

·   Bibby, was 2-of-2 from 3-point range. He has made at least one 3-pointer in all five games.

·   USF recorded 11 steals. The last time the Bulls had at least 10 steals was Dec. 31, 2014, when they had 10 at SMU.

·   All eight players that saw minutes for the Bulls, scored at least one point.

Up Next:

USF hits the road for two games, Thursday at Troy (3-3) and Saturday at George Washington (3-2).

[Bear]

They need to improve their shooting...

 

Especially in comparison to the top half of our conference. 

 

 

[CousinRicky]

I was one of 500 people in the dome last night.  After the first half I'm thinking "wow, they've found their groove a bit here". About 90 seconds into the 2nd half I'm thinking "here we go again".  You could see that KS started playing defense and we had no idea what to do.  At one point about 17 - 18 minutes in to the 2nd half I'm pretty sure we had 15 shots attempted.  We literally couldn't get the ball inside the foul line on multiple possessions (like maybe 8 or so) and then either turned the ball over on bad passes or shot clock violations or took a bad shot (like airball bad).  It was pitiful. Other than throwing up one hurried 3 late in the half I don't think Holston got a shot off.  Tulio fouled out and contributed nothing in the 2nd half.  Bibby and Geno saved our sorry butts.  

[Bausfkid]

500 people?  In our OCA and school in session?  I would expect nothing less than SRO.  Wow!

[Bausfkid]

All kidding aside, I have to continue to ask what USFAA and Alumni Marketing are doing or not doing?

Other than men's hoops USF sports (Soccer, WBB, Football, Volleyball) have been very solid and are putting great products on the field/court.  Why no support from the Tampa Bay area of >3M people? 

Go Bulls!

[NewEnglandBull]

51 minutes ago, Bausfkid said:

All kidding aside, I have to continue to ask what USFAA and Alumni Marketing are doing or not doing?

Other than men's hoops USF sports (Soccer, WBB, Football, Volleyball) have been very solid and are putting great products on the field/court.  Why no support from the Tampa Bay area of >3M people? 

Go Bulls!

There is no marketing/PR strategy in existence that would get people to watch USF MBB. But your point is valid for the other programs.  I don't see any coordinated effort with USF media.

[Apis Bull]

2 minutes ago, NewEnglandBull said:

There is no marketing/PR strategy in existence that would get people to watch USF MBB. But your point is valid for the other programs.  I don't see any coordinated effort with USF media.

In all fairness, you live in New Hampshire.  I would imagine you don't see any.

[charsibb]

Not enough Kennesaw alumni in the area to drive attendance, unlike the BE and AAC schools?

 

[NewEnglandBull]

Just now, Apis Bull said:

In all fairness, you live in New Hampshire.  I would imagine you don't see any.

But I visit Tampa  regularly throughout the year and it is minimal. Further, I was responding to USF alumni marketing which should be something I see regardless of location. And that is almost nonexistent except for FB homecoming. 

[Bausfkid]

I too am in Tampa numerous times throughout the year and see / hear very little from the marketing teams in terms of outreach. 

I attended two home football games this year (FSU and UCF) and saw zero in the way of advertising from alumni or athletics during the game for events or membership.

I went to the Lightning game vs. Philly during my trip and other than the advertisement on the rink I again saw / heard nothing about USF.

I have a nephew who plays LL in Seminole and attended his games and again saw / heard nothing. 

Perhaps a "buy a season ticket package" for a holiday gift? 

I'm not a marketer, but it's about engaging the community.  How about a friendly bet between the Mayors of Orlando and Tampa to help promote the War on I4? 

This was part of my "game experience" survey feedback I submitted this week.  I also pitched bringing back the bull running thru the crates falling off the truck as the opening.  That was a great way to start the game.