By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - Chris Norton's bat stayed hot in USF's 6-2 loss at Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday night in Daytona Beach.

The senior catcher went 2-for-4 with an RBI while the Bulls (10-11) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end at Jackie Robinson Park. Kyle Copack drove in USF's second run in the Bulls' final game before conference play begins.

Right-hander Mike Clarkson kept the Bulls in it by allowing two earned runs on six hits in six innings of work. The right-hander struck out five batters.

Eric Sams went 3-for-3 and his RBI helped Bethune-Cookman (12-11) put the game away out of reach during a four-run eighth inning.

Norton continued his solid season at the plate with an RBI single that put USF ahead, 1-0, in the top of the third with two outs.

Norton got things going for USF in the ninth with a leadoff triple and made it home one batter later when Copack hit a sacrifice fly to right-center field.

The Bulls start Big East play with a three-game series against Cincinnati 7 p.m. Friday at USF Baseball Stadium. Saturday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and Sunday's series finale has been moved up to an 11:30 a.m. start.