SUNRISE, Fla., DEC. 20, 2014 – Corey Allen Jr. scored a career-high 31 points in USF's 75-62 loss to Florida State Saturday afternoon in the Orange Bowl Classic.

Allen Jr.'s 31 points was the fourth-most ever scored at the Orange Bowl Classic, which began in 1994. It was the most points scored by a USF player since Augustus Gilchrist's 32 points at DePaul on Feb. 26, 2011.

The St. Louis native was 12-of-21 from the field, had four steals and made all seven free throw attempts.

"He battled," said USF head coach Orlando Antigua. "You see his frame? For a kid his size, as big as his heart is, he left it out there for us and competed. We were ecstatic with how he competed. He's been beat up a little bit and has been trying to get that rhythm going the last few games. We were excited to see that."

Despite Allen Jr.'s best effort, Florida State's size and length was tough to stop Saturday at the BB&T Center, home to the NHL's Florida Panthers. The Seminoles (6-5) blocked a school record 15 shots including six by Jarquez Smith.

"They were a big, athletic team and were challenging every shot we had at the rim," said Allen Jr. "I feel like we still should have attacked the way we did, but just more aggressive."

FSU led 34-28 at halftime and 40-30 early in the second half, but USF (5-6) showed the fight they have all year with a 12-4 run to bring the game to within two points, 44-42 with 13:09 to play. However, the Seminoles answered with a 9-1 run to take a 54-43 lead with 8:34 remaining and controlled the game from then on.

"We had the ball and we didn't capitalize on the fight that we showed to get back into it in the second half," said Antigua on getting the game to a two-point deficit. "You have to give them credit. They made the plays down the stretch to get the lead back up. Then we were playing from behind. We have to do a much better job competing for 40 minutes."

Junior guard Anthony Collins (Houston) scored 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting including his first made 3-pointer of the season. Freshman Dinero Mercurius (Bronx, N.Y.) earned the start for the second consecutive game and finished with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. USF's 12 steals was a season high.

USF will next be in action on Tuesday when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 1 p.m. Purchase tickets HERE.

Orange Bowl Classic Most Points Scored
33, Matt Walsh, Florida, 2002
32, Dionte Christmas, Temple, 2007
32, Darius Rice, Miami, 2002
31, Corey Allen Jr., USF, 2014