Triple-Double By Mattis Leads To 63-43 Win

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID Office

Triple-Double By USF's Mattis Leads To 63-43 Win At WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Senior forward McHugh Mattis collected the program's second triple-double in school history, helping the University of South Florida men's basketball team (5-1) pull away for a 63-43 non-conference road victory at Winston-Salem State (1-11) Thursday night.

The North Lauderdale, Fla., native completed the evening with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks in 40 minutes of action.  He was 8-of-8 from the floor and also created three steals.  His 10 blocks is the second-best single-game total in school history and his perfect night from the floor matches a school record he shares with two others.

Until Thursday, former Bull Adrian Hillman was the only other USF player to record a triple-double.  He accounted for 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 4, 1996.

The Bulls trailed 22-21 at the intermission after turning the ball over 14 times in the first half and shooting just 44 percent from the floor (8-of-18) and free throw line (4-of-9).

The Rams moved ahead 29-23 early in the second half, but a thunderous dunk by Mattis that shook the 3,200-seat arena started a turnaround for USF.  Mattis netted nine points during a 21-4 run over the course of the next eight minutes, turning a four-point deficit into a 13-point advantage.

With leading scorer Melvin Buckley struggling from the field for the second-straight game, USF received valuable contributions from freshman Solomon Bozeman and senior walk-on Eddie Lovett.  Bozeman finished with 17 points and six rebounds and Lovett scored five points in a career-high 22 minutes.  Lovett's efforts included his first career 3-pointer.

The Bulls shot 61.1 percent (11-of-18) from the field in the second half, while WSSU connected on just 7-of-22 (31.4 percent) of its opportunities.

Sophomore Aris Williams chipped in six points and five rebounds in 19 minutes.  

USF continues its two-game road swing at East Carolina on Saturday night.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

[Kyle]

The Rams moved ahead 29-23 early in the second half, but a thunderous dunk by Mattis that shook the 3,200-seat arena started a turnaround for USF.

A little over the top, i think.

I bet all of Mattis' 8 shots came from within 3 ft.

Good to get a W regardless.