BOCA RATON, Fla., NOV.  22, 2016 – Redshirt freshman forward Tulio Da Silva recorded his first-career double-double in USF's 78-62 loss to Florida Atlantic Tuesday at FAU Arena.

One day after being named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, the Brazilian recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs. Da Silva played all but a few seconds in the game and was an efficient 6-of-10 from the field.

USF (2-2) scored 14 unanswered points to take a 19-9 lead, its largest of the game, with 10:47 remaining in the half. The Bulls led 24-17, before a 14-1 run by the Owls (2-3) put FAU ahead 31-25 with over five minutes left until halftime.

Freshman Michael Bibby (Phoenix) drained his only basket of the night, a 3-pointer, in USF's final possession of the half. However, in what would be the theme of the night for the Owls, Gerdarius Troutman answered with one of FAU's 11 3-pointers at the buzzer to give his team a 38-34 halftime lead.

Troutman finished the game 4-of-6 from 3-point range and helped FAU shoot 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) from downtown.

USF tied the game, 40-40, early in the second half after two free throws by junior guard Geno Thorpe (Pittsburgh), who finished in double figures for the fourth-straight game with 11 points. However, fouls began to mount for the Bulls as they committed a season-high 27, while the Owls finished with 18. With 4:46 remaining in the game, Troy Holston, Malik Fitts, Thorpe and Bo Zeigler all had four fouls.

The Owls shot 63.2 percent from the field and made 5-of-6 3-point attempts in the second half to seal the 16-point win.

Quotables

USF head coach Orlando Antigua
On the game:

“We talked to our guys knowing that it was going to be a hard game for us. Especially considering FAU had just come back home from playing three games in Hawaii. They had already played one game here, but we knew they were going to be excited to play us. We had to compete and battle, but we just didn't do the things we wanted to do. Controlling the backboards and fouling. You put them at the free throw line 31 times, they start seeing the ball go in the basket and they start feeling the confidence. The numbers they put up in the second half is alarming. That's something that needs to be corrected quickly.”

On FAU hitting 11 3-pointers:

“In that second half, it seemed like they didn't' miss any. Contested or uncontested, it didn't matter. We gave them too many opportunities on the glass. We don't have the luxury for guys to be playing a lot of minutes and not contributing in terms of, not just offensively, but there are other things you can do to help us like blocking out, rebounding, defending, talking and getting some steals. All of that we have to get better.”

On the play of Luis Santos:

“Luis came off the bench and gave us some big minutes. He used his size and his rebounding ability to give us some extra possessions and not give them some extra possessions. It was good to see that. I thought Malik Fitts did some good things for us as well.”

On the play of Tulio Da Silva:

“He was the one guy that kept rebounding for us. He had the second and third bounce. He was catching it with two hands. We had to keep him out there as long as we could. He battled for us.”

Key Stat

·        FAU outshot USF 63.2 percent to 31.4 percent in the second half.

·        FAU outrebounded USF 48-31.

Notables:

·        USF's 12 turnovers were its lowest of the season, besting its previous best of 16 in the season opener against Florida A&M.

·        Da Silva is averaging 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds for the season.

·        Despite the rebounding advantage by FAU (+17), USF outscored FAU in the paint, 22-14.

·        Sophomore forward Luis Santos (Bronx) scored a career-best 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 21 minutes, the most of his career. His previous high in scoring was eight at Seton Hall last season.

·        Bibby has made at least one 3-pointer in all four games.

Up Next:

USF hosts Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28.

The USF men's basketball team is led by Orlando Antigua, who is in his third season as the head coach after spending the previous six season as an assistant to Naismith Hall of Fame coach John Calipari. The Bulls return five from last season's team including American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team member Jahmal McMurray who scored the second-most points ever by a USF freshman last season. The Bulls will also have four additions that sat out last season; Tulio Da Silva, Troy Holston, Isaiah Manderson and Geno Thorpe.

USF has retired three numbers in its 46-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.

To renew season tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.