TAMPA, DEC. 18, 2017 – The Bulls took the lead with 14:04 remaining in Monday's first half and never looked back in a 70-56 win over Northern Arizona that marked USF's second straight victory.
The first half saw the Bulls (6-6) take a 10-point lead to the locker room, 33-23, behind 16 points from Payton Banks (Orange, Calif.). He finished the night with a game-high 23 points. His 16 in the half tied the most points in a half by a Bull this season, also set by Banks in the second half against Elon (Nov. 30).
Isaiah Manderson (Bronx, N.Y.) recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. His 10 rebounds were a new career high and he finished two off a career high in points.
Stephan Jiggetts (Forestville, Md.) followed up his 20-point effort against Bethune-Cookman with 17 points and a new career-high eight assists. The eight assists are the most by a Bulls player this season.
As a team, the Bulls finished the first half on fire, going 6-for-7 from the field and 4-for-5 from three down the stretch.
Overall, USF was 50 percent (26-for-52) from the field in the game, including 45 percent (10-for-22) from three.
Quotable
Head coach Brian Gregory on the game:
"I thought our defensive effort was very good today. They run a lot of ball screens, hard dribble-drive team, so they're going to get in the paint some. But any time you hold an opponent to 35 percent from the field and 17 percent from three and outrebound them by six, your guys gave a pretty good effort. Obviously in the first half we were a little choppy offensively, but when you make a couple baskets like Payton did, it makes things seem a lot better."
Payton Banks on what has been clicking the last two games:
"We've had really good practices the last two weeks, and I think those practice habits are coming into the game a lot. We're just playing together, trusting each other a lot more, and trusting that coaches have the best interests for us."
Isaiah Manderson on his first career double-double:
"Honestly, I'm not really trying to play for stats, I just want to win."
Key Stats
34.9 – The Bulls held Northern Arizona to 34.9 percent (22-for-63) from the field in the game.
17.4 – The Lumberjacks shot 17.4 percent (4-for-23) from three, including 1-for-10 in the first half.
5 – USF had five different players with five or more rebounds in the game.
Notable
- The Bulls won back-to-back games for the second time this season after winning two in a row only once last season.
- Payton Banks tied his career highs with nine field goals made and five three-point field goals made. He finished with 23 points, one off the USF single-game season high set by Malik Martin against Arkansas State on Nov. 24.
- The Bulls lead for 34:28, after taking the lead with 14:04 remaining in the first half and never relinquishing it.
- Prior to the game, it was announced that freshman forward Alexis Yetna (Paris, France) will be required to sit out the 2017-18 season. He will return in 2018-19 with three years of eligibility.
Up Next
USF concludes the nonconference slate on Thursday against Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the USF Sun Dome. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
About USF Men's Basketball
The USF men's basketball team is led by head coach Brian Gregory. On March 22, Gregory was introduced as the 10th head coach in program history. He previously led programs at Georgia Tech (2011-16) and Dayton (2003-11). Gregory spent nearly a decade as an assistant coach under Michigan State's Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA National Championship. Gregory brings nearly 250 career head coaching wins and six postseason appearances, including the 2010 NIT Championship, to Tampa.
USF has retired three numbers in its 47-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.
For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.
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