Box Score By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
CINCINNATI, JAN. 29, 2017 – Freshman Michael Bibby turned in his best performance yet as a Bull at one of the toughest venues in college basketball Sunday afternoon.
Bibby knocked down four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 17 points in a 94-53 loss to No. 19 Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena. Bibby brought up his scoring average to 13.3 points in the past three games while adding four rebounds and two assists.
Without leading scorer Geno Thorpe, USF (6-14, 0-9) was unable to halt Cincinnati's home winning streak that was extended to 21 games. The Bearcats scored 34 points off 24 USF turnovers in their 12th straight victory. Jarron Cumberland scored a career-high 26 points and made half of Cincinnati's 12 3-pointers.
USF opened the game on a 4-0 run before Jake Bodway's 3-pointer and Luis Santos' jumper helped the Bulls tie things up at 12 with 12:15 remaining in the half. Cincinnati responded with a 14-0 run while the Bulls went scoreless for more than four minutes.
Cincinnati (19-2, 8-0) continued on a 25-5 run, and went 8-for-8 from the field at one point down the stretch, on the way to a 49-25 halftime lead. Kyle Washington and Justin Jenifer combined for 21 points while Cincinnati shot 58 percent from the field (7-for-14 from long range).
Bibby powered USF with 11 points in the first half that saw the Bulls hampered by 14 turnovers. Bibby reached a new career-high point total with his fourth 3-pointer of the game, tying a career-high, with 2:14 remaining. The freshman guard from Phoenix, Ariz., has posted two of his five double-digit scoring games in the Bulls' past two outings.
Quotables
Interim head coach Murry Bartow on facing one of those most physical teams in the country:
“We got off to a great start, which I was pleased with, but obviously 24 turnovers were way too many. They're just a really good team. They're probably one of the top 15 teams in college basketball. They've got an incredibly good starting five and they're one of the best defensive teams in the country, one of the most physical teams in the country.”
Coach Bartow on the impact of leading scorer Geno Thorpe missing the game with an injury:
“I'm not an excuse guy, which I've said many times, but obviously the injury to Geno Thorpe on Friday just totally put our team out of whack. Mike (Bibby) fought hard, played hard, competed hard, but that injury really hurt us, knowing we were coming in here to play a great team.”
Coach Bartow on his team's effort despite the wins not piling up:
“I just want our fans to know these guys are working hard. Our practices have been great and unfortunately it didn't show tonight… We can't get too down. We can't over-magnify it. We've just got to move onto the next game.”
Key Stats
12 – Cincinnati gained distance on the Bulls by knocking down 12 3-pointers.
14-0 – With the score tied at 12-12, Cincinnati seized the momentum with a 14-0 run that led to a 49-25 advantage at halftime.
24 – USF was hampered by 24 turnovers, a season-high. Cincinnati scored 34 points off takeaways.
Notables
- USF was without leading scorer Geno Thorpe, who missed the game with an injury. Thorpe has averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 assists in 19 games this season.
- Guard Michael Bibby has scored 40 points in the past three games after pouring in a career-high 17 at Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati improved to 30-8 in the all-time series with USF. The Bearcats have won the past seven meetings.
Up Next
USF heads back to the Sun Dome to host Memphis on Thursday at 7 p.m. (TV: ESPNews). Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com.
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.
– #GoBulls –
