TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Sammy Mejia scored 18 points and Draelon Burns added 16 as DePaul beat South Florida 75-62 on Saturday in BIG EAST action at the Sun Dome.
McHugh Mattis scored 18 points for South Florida (12-15, 3-10). Kentrell Gransberry had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Mejia had six points and a nifty assist on Marcus Heard's layup during a 15-6 run that put DePaul (16-11, 7-6 Big East) ahead 59-50 with 5 1/2 minutes left.
DePaul preserved the victory by hitting 14 of 16 free throws -- including a 7-for-8 performance by Burns -- during the final 4 1/2 minutes of play.
Mejia had eight points in the first half, helping DePaul take a 29-26 halftime lead. Mattis scored two of his nine points during the opening half on a rebound basket at the buzzer.
