USF Senior Writer

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., DEC 2, 2014 - Corey Allen Jr. led three Bulls in double figures, but foul trouble slowed USF's comeback attempt in an 82-71 loss at Alabama on Tuesday night.

Allen Jr., the American Player of the Week, posted his sixth double-digit scoring game of the season with 16 points despite fouling out with 56 seconds remaining. Junior Nehemias Morillo extended his double-digit scoring streak to four with a 13-point performance that ended when the Dominican Republic native picked up his fifth foul less than 5 minutes into the second half. Sophomore Chris Perry (Bartow, Fla.) put together his fifth double-digit effort of the season with 11 points after being called for his fourth foul with 12:44 remaining.

"We just didn't finish some easy baskets early on. We got into foul trouble; we gave up too many second opportunities early on. It was an uphill battle after that," head coach Orlando Antigua said.

USF (5-2) was off to its best start since the 2009-10 season before Alabama (5-1) snapped the Bulls' two-game winning streak at Coleman Coliseum. USF actually outshot the Tide, going 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range, but the Bulls were hampered by 21 turnovers and went 9-for-19 from the free throw line.

Alabama never trailed and led by 19 more than midway through the second half before the Bulls went on an 18-7 run and cut their deficit to 71-63 with 3:58 remaining.

"We wanted to speed the game up. They got comfortable with the zone, so we tried to change it up again," Antigua said. "… I want our guys to continue to play. Don't look at the scoreboard, just compete every possession. If we can do that from the start of the game then we'll be fine. Right now we're doing it sometimes."

Freshman guard Dinero Mercurius (Bronx, N.Y.) helped lead the second-half charge with a career-high eight points. Freshman walk-on guard Jake Bodway (Bloomington, Minn.) made the most of his 3 minutes of action by scoring a career-high five points.

"I told Jake early on, 'You've got to be ready. You never know what could happen,'" Antigua said. "To his credit, he came in, made some shots and played some defense. He has worked extremely hard, like the rest of the guys have."

The Bulls will look to rebound when they go back on the road to face Detroit 3 p.m. Saturday in Michigan. USF returns to the Sun Dome to host Georgia Southern on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets HERE.

Catch the first USF Basketball Show of the season 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Beef O' Brady's location in Citrus Park, on the radio at 98.7 The Fan or online at GoUSFBulls.com. Fans are invited to come out and meet the coach. Questions can be submitted through Twitter by sending them to @USFMBB. The Beef O'Brady's in Citrus Park is located at 8568 Gunn Highway, Odessa, Fla., 33556.