TAMPA, JAN. 21, 2017 – Junior Ruben Guerrero (Spain) recorded his fifth career double-double as the University of South Florida men's basketball team (6-12, 0-7 The American) lost 79-67 to Tulsa (11-7, 5-1) on Saturday afternoon.

The center totaled a season-high 16 points with 10 rebounds. The 16 points was just one shy of matching his career best (17, Memphis, 2/14/15).

On Saturday, Tulsa lead 13-10 early and capitalized on USF foul trouble to go on a 17-5 run midway through the first half.

The Golden Hurricane led by as many as 15 in the opening stanza but the Bulls went on a 15-5 scoring surge just before halftime to trail 35-30 at the break.

The Bulls cut the deficit down to two, 40-38, on a Troy Holston (Queens, N.Y.) free throw at the 15:27 mark of the second half. Tulsa then responded by scoring 11 of the next 15 points to build the lead back to nine.

USF's foul trouble continued to play a factor in the second half as the Bulls were unable to bring the deficit back under six in the waning moments of the loss.

Quotable

Interim head coach Murry Bartow on his team's fight:

“I thought we competed hard and fought hard. Obviously, we came up a little short but I'm really proud of these guys. These guys have been through a lot, a tough transition. I'm just telling you they are fighting and competing and working. Our practices have been great. The energy has been great. We just have to play a little bit better.”

Key Stat

• Tulsa's bench outscored USF 37-12, including a game-high 22 points from Corey Henderson.

Notables

• Like Guerrero, Holston also scored a team-high 16 points. He converted five treys in the game including four in the first half.
• Guerrero notched eight points and five rebounds in each half.
• Junior forward Bo Zeigler (Detroit) made the start for an injured Malik Fitts, compiling seven points, seven rebounds and a career high tying six assists.
• Freshman guard Michael Bibby (Phoenix) added nine points and two assists off the bench.

Up Next

USF remains home to host UConn on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

About USF Men's Basketball

The USF men's basketball team is led by interim head coach Murry Bartow. Coach Bartow has served as a collegiate basketball coach for 30 seasons and boasts eight postseason tournaments, including four NCAA Tournaments.

The Bulls feature freshman Tulio Da Silva, junior Ruben Guerrero, sophomore Troy Holston and junior 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.

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

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