TAMPA, NOV.  28, 2016 – After mounting its largest halftime lead in the Orlando Antigua era, the USF men's basketball team held on to defeat Kennesaw State, 71-69, Monday at the Sun Dome.

The Bulls (3-2) shot a blistering 72.0 percent from the field in the first half, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range, and led 48-27 at the break. It was the largest halftime lead for the Bulls since a 43-23 lead against UCF on March 4, 2015, in Antigua's first season at USF.

The Owls (2-5) scored 14 of the first 15 points in the second half to cut the Bulls' lead to 49-41, four minutes into the period. USF led, 63-51, with 5:59 remaining, before going over four minutes without a field goal. During that period, KSU scored 11 unanswered points to make it a one-point game, 63-62, with 2:19 left to play.

The score remained close down the stretch. A free throw by Luis Santos (Bronx, N.Y.), who finished in double-figures for the second consecutive game with 10 points, gave USF a 71-67 lead with 15 seconds remaining. A layup by KSU's Johannes Nielsen made it a two-point game, 71-69, with five seconds on the clock. After two missed free throws by junior guard Jake Bodway (Bloomington, Minn.), KSU possessed the ball, under USF's basket, with three seconds to play. Kyle Clarke's 35-foot shot came up empty as the Bulls held on for the win.

USF was without usual starter Bo Zeigler (Detroit) due to illness and was led by its underclassmen. All, but 18 points were scored by its freshmen and sophomores, including a career-high 17 points by redshirt freshman forward Tulio Da Silva. The Brazilian was 7-of-10 from the field and also finished with a team-high seven rebounds.

Sophomore guard Troy Holston (Queens) finished 4-of-5 from 3-point range after connecting on his first four attempts from deep. Junior guard Geno Thorpe (Pittsburgh) scored 12 points, his fifth game in double-figures, and had a career-high seven assists. Freshman guard Michael Bibby (Phoenix) also had a career-high assist total with six to go with eight points.

Quotables

USF head coach Orlando Antigua
On difference in first and second half:
“We made a lot of shots in the first half. We shared the ball and we executed. In the second half they made some adjustments. With a young team you have to learn how to continue to compete and not look at the score when you have a lead like that. I think now they'll listen a little bit.”

On importance of team showing resilience:
“It's big, especially when you're getting ready to go on a road swing. For a young team to battle and continue to grow and develop, you can see what Tulio was able to do, Mike Bibby, and I thought Geno did a lot of nice things. It was great to see Troy making some shots and getting involved a little bit in there. All those guys helping each other out and getting rebounds. Luis gave us some huge valuable minutes coming off the bench. Malik Fitts now starting to get his legs under him after being away for a little bit. We're going to need everyone to contribute and everyone to be at their best for us to continue to improve.

On Tulio Da Silva:
“His rebounding is really good. His defense still has a ways to go. He's simplifying the game. He's such a talent and his best basketball is still a way ahead of him. He's just starting to scratch the surface of what we think he could become for us.”

On Michael Bibby:
“I think Mike has done a phenomenal job in the roles that we've needed and the amount of minutes we've asked him to play. Whether it be starting or coming off the bench, there's just a great feeling and great IQ about him.”

Key Stats

·        USF outscored KSU, 48-27, in the first half. KSU outscored USF, 42-23, in the second half.

·        USF made six 3-pointers in the first half, the same amount of field goals it made in the second half.

Notables:

·        USF improved to 1-0 all-time against Kennesaw State.

·        KSU's Kendrick Ray, who entered the game averaging 22.3 points per game, was held to 17 points.

·        USF outscored KSU in the paint, 32-28. The Bulls have outscored four of their five opponents in the paint.

·        USF's first half shooting percentage of 72.0, was its highest in a half since shooting 62.5 percent in the second half against Jacksonville on Dec. 13, 2015.

·        Bibby, was 2-of-2 from 3-point range. He has made at least one 3-pointer in all five games.

·        USF recorded 11 steals. The last time the Bulls had at least 10 steals was Dec. 31, 2014, when they had 10 at SMU.

·        All eight players that saw minutes for the Bulls, scored at least one point.

Up Next:

USF hits the road for two games, Thursday at Troy (3-3) and Saturday at George Washington (3-2).

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.