USF MBB Posts 65-52 Win At East Carolina

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID Office

USF MBB Posts 65-52 Win At East Carolina

GREENVILLE, NC (December 9, 2006) -- The University of South Florida men's basketball team (6-1) used a balanced scoring attack to post a 65-52 non-conference road victory against East Carolina (4-4) Saturday night.

Every USF player to see extended minutes contributed at least two points, led by senior Melvin Buckley's 20 points.  Freshman Solomon Bozeman also chipped in 16 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win.

The Bulls dominated the boards at both ends of the court, finishing with a 51-28 advantage overall and a 15-7 margin at the offensive end.  Senior McHugh Mattis topped the roster with 14 boards and sophomore Aris Williams chipped in nine points and 10 rebounds in his first career start.

The two teams traded the lead early in the first half, but it was the Bulls who held a 28-23 advantage at the intermission.  The Pirates shot just 29.0 percent from the field in the opening frame, but 11 USF turnovers led to 13 ECU points to keep the Bulls from extending the lead even further.

USF cut down its turnovers in the second half, with just four following the break, and as a result the Bulls moved ahead by as many as 11 points midway through the period.  ECU had one last run left, cutting the gap to 43-39 with 11:06 left.  A trey by Buckley, however, pushed the advantage back to seven points and the Pirates would get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Free throw shooting down the stretch proved to be the difference.  USF concluded the night 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the line, thanks to a 10-of-10 performance by Bozeman.

The Bulls will take a break this week to concentrate on finals before returning to action on Sunday against Norfolk State at the Duel In The Desert on Dec. 17.

[Bullchip]

Wow we can beat a team from UCF's conference LOL

[Brad]

When they were in our conference, how many times did we beat them at Minges?  Prize to the winner.

[South_Florida_Flip]

I think it was one time and Coach McCullum was the coach.

[USFCollin]

That would be zero as I recall... including a game where Greenberg got tossed in overtime, and complained about the security not protecting him and his wife, right?  

[South_Florida_Flip]

I know Greenberg didn't win there, but I am certain McCullum did in the 2004-2005 season.

[Brad]

From the Media Guide:

Bulls vs.

East Carolina (2-3)

2002-03 L 62 68 (2OT) (A)

2003-04 L 57 59 (H)

2003-04 L 60 69 (A)

2004-05 W 72 71 (A)

2004-05 W 60 50 (H)

[Brad]

So, in fact we're 3-3 against the Parrots and all three wins came under the currently emabbattled skipper of the Bulls.

[South_Florida_Flip]

Cha Ching!!!!!

[USFCollin]

You are correct.... 72-71 win there on Jan 5., 2005.  I had remembered Minges as a house of horrors for us, didn't think we had won there.  

I think I blacked that season out (except for the win over Cinci in Memphis) because I was so excited to be playing in the Big East the next year!