TAMPA, Fla. Nov. 25, 2020 – USF (1-0) trailed Florida College (5-3) 40-46 at the half but used a 21-8 spurt in the second half to take control of the contest and open its season with a victory in the Yuengling Center Wednesday afternoon.
Four Bulls scored in double-figures led by senior David Collins’ 17 points. Justin Brown scored 15 points– 13 of which came in the second half – Jamir Chaplin had a career high 14 points while Michael Durr added 11. Chaplin also had a career, and team high seven rebounds.
Freshman Caleb Murphy did not shoot it well but helped the Bulls with seven assists and grabbed four rebounds. Alexis Yetna made his return with nine points and four rebounds in 12 minutes of action. Yetna made all three of his field goal attempts.
It is the Bulls fifth consecutive season opening win.
BullsInsider.com was at the game and here is our Instant Analysis:
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Justin Brown hit a three-pointer with 7:57 left in the second half to expand the Bulls lead to 78-65.
HE STOLE THE SHOW: Florida College guard Jalon Perry was terrific today. He scored a game high 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Grabbed four rebounds, two steals and had two assists.
THE STAT DOESN’T LIE: USF finally got the ball inside in the second half where they had a huge size, athleticism and strength advantage. That led to 34 second half points in the paint.
WHAT A PLAY: With 8:32 to play and late in the shot clock, Murphy casually dribbled the ball 24 feet from the basket but kept his head up. Chaplin cut down the baseline and caught Murphy’s lob for a dunk to give USF a 75-65 lead.
THE BOTTOM LINE: USF begins the season with a win, as expected, and will begin preparations for Saturday’s game against Rhode Island. The Rams are the first of two opponents the Bulls are scheduled to face – Virginia Tech is the other -- in the Basketball Hall of Fame Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Hopefully Xavier Castaneda will be available for those games.
Four Bulls scored in double-figures led by senior David Collins’ 17 points. Justin Brown scored 15 points– 13 of which came in the second half – Jamir Chaplin had a career high 14 points while Michael Durr added 11. Chaplin also had a career, and team high seven rebounds.
Freshman Caleb Murphy did not shoot it well but helped the Bulls with seven assists and grabbed four rebounds. Alexis Yetna made his return with nine points and four rebounds in 12 minutes of action. Yetna made all three of his field goal attempts.
It is the Bulls fifth consecutive season opening win.
BullsInsider.com was at the game and here is our Instant Analysis:
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Justin Brown hit a three-pointer with 7:57 left in the second half to expand the Bulls lead to 78-65.
HE STOLE THE SHOW: Florida College guard Jalon Perry was terrific today. He scored a game high 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Grabbed four rebounds, two steals and had two assists.
THE STAT DOESN’T LIE: USF finally got the ball inside in the second half where they had a huge size, athleticism and strength advantage. That led to 34 second half points in the paint.
WHAT A PLAY: With 8:32 to play and late in the shot clock, Murphy casually dribbled the ball 24 feet from the basket but kept his head up. Chaplin cut down the baseline and caught Murphy’s lob for a dunk to give USF a 75-65 lead.
THE BOTTOM LINE: USF begins the season with a win, as expected, and will begin preparations for Saturday’s game against Rhode Island. The Rams are the first of two opponents the Bulls are scheduled to face – Virginia Tech is the other -- in the Basketball Hall of Fame Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Hopefully Xavier Castaneda will be available for those games.
