TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2006) - Senior forward McHugh Mattis recorded his eighth-career double-double, ripping 12 boards and scoring 18 points while blocking a career-high seven shots in the University of South Florida's 82-69 victory over South Carolina State Friday night at the Sun Dome.
The Bulls are now 2-0 while the Bulldogs drop to 0-2.
In the first half of the non-conference match-up, USF hit 47.8 percent (11-23) of its field goals and converted 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) from the charity stripe, while SCSU shot 40.5 (15-37) from the field and missed its only free throw attempt.
Mattis blocked three Bulldog shot attempts, while scoring eight points and grabbing seven boards in the first period. Senior guard Melvin Buckley and freshman guard Adamu Saaka added seven points apiece to USF's first-half one-point lead.
Immediately after the half, the Bulldogs hit a jumper to take a 38-37 lead, but a matching field goal from senior forward Melvin Buckley at the 19-minute mark put the Bulls up for good.
Following an 11-2 USF run, SCSU brought the game within five points halfway through the final period before USF again extended the lead, this time to 14 points, with six minutes remaining.
Buckley ended the night with 18 points while freshman guard Solomon Bozeman collected nine assists and six points.
Senior guard Chris Capko recorded his first-career 3-pointer just two minutes into the contest and added a second with eight minutes remaining in the game. Capko tied his career-high scoring effort of 10 points while dishing four assists.
In his USF debut, Saaka scored 12 points and had four assists. Saaka's first possession of the ball resulted in an assist to a Mattis 3-point play, and on his second touch, Saaka drained a 15-footer.
Sophomore forward Aris Williams scored his first-career basket in the first half on his way to a nine-point, five-rebound night.
USF hit 27-47 (57.4 percent) field goals, including 7-10 from behind the arc and 21-29 (72.4 percent) at the stripe. The Bulls out-rebounded the Bulldogs 34-28 and scored four more points in the paint (34-30). SCSU attempted 28 treys, hitting 11, for a 39.3 percent three-point shooting night.
The Bulldogs were led by senior guard Travis Jones' 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
USF continues its five-game home stand Tuesday, Nov. 21 against FIU. Tip off is at 8 p.m. in the Sun Dome.
