Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn., JAN. 16, 2016 – Senior Angel Nunez recorded 16 points and nine rebounds in USF's 71-56 loss at Memphis Saturday at FedExForum.
The forward from New York made 5-of-10 shots from the field 6-of-7 from the free throw line.
“He only took one three, which is impressive,” said head coach Orlando Antigua. “He did a good job of getting to the free throw line. He had a really good outing and had nine rebounds, so he was really engaged.”
USF (3-16, 0-6 American Athletic Conference) showed toughness against Memphis (12-5, 3-1) by outrebounding the Tigers 50-41 including a 19-16 edge on the offensive glass. The 50 rebounds by the Bulls was a season high and the most since recorded 52 in a three overtime game against Bowling Green on Dec. 21, 2012.
“I challenged the toughness and I wanted to see us fight,” said Antigua. “I thought we did that. We continued to battle, but we had a few spells where we couldn't find the basket. We had 19 offensive rebounds and weren't able to capitalize off of that effort.”
USF trailed 15-4, seven minutes into the game. The Bulls then scored 10 consecutive points to get within one-point, 15-14, at the 9:36 mark. However, Memphis finished the half on a 15-7 run to lead 30-22 at the break. The Bulls had a 31-20 advantage on the boards in the first half, but the Tigers benefited by not turning the ball over. They had just three turnovers the entire game and forced the Bulls into 16.
“They have some really solid guards that don't turn the ball over that much,” said Antigua, who served as one season on the Memphis bench as an assistant coach to John Calipari.
USF cut the deficit to three points, 34-31, with 15:52 to play in the game after a layup by Nunez. However, the Tigers answered with a 15-2 run to lead 49-33 with under 10 minutes remaining. USF never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
Leading the big rebounding effort for the Bulls was senior Jaleel Cousins with a career-high 16 to go with five points and four blocks. In a battle of two of the best shot-blocking teams in the country, it was USF with the edge, 9-6.
Freshman Jahmal McMurray scored in double-figures for the 17th time this season with 13 points and added five rebounds and three assists.
Memphis was led by its impressive freshman, Dedric Lawson, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
USF returns home to face UCF on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. where it will be Military Appreciation Night in the Sun Dome. Purchase tickets at USFBullsTix.com.
The USF men's basketball team is led by Orlando Antigua, who is in his second season as the head coach after spending the previous six season as an assistant to Naismith Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. USF has played the toughest schedule in the American Athletic Conference and one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA. USF has retired three numbers in its 45-year history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30) and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids and appeared in the NIT eight times. In the 2011-12 season, USF was one win away from an appearance in the Sweet 16.
