TAMPA, Fla. (November 15, 2023) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team returned to the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Wednesday as Central Michigan made the trip to Tampa. Chris Youngblood led the team with a season-high 20 points, but the Bulls (1-1) fell to the Chippewas (1-3) 68-63.
 
South Florida never gave up and battled the entire game. The squad clawed its way back from being down 16 and pulled within five points but was able to tie it up or take a lead.
 
The Chippewas came out of the gates strong and had the Bulls down by nine, 14-5, with 14:11 left in the first half. South Florida was unfazed and responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-12 with just over 11 minutes left in the half.
 
Central Michigan started to heat up from behind the 3-point line and made three consecutive shots from long range to extend its lead to 27-19 with 7:51 left in the first stanza. The Bulls were resilient and answered with a 10-4 run to close out the half. USF trailed CMU 31-29 at the break.
 
CMU opened the second half on a 15-10 run that opened the first five minutes and extended its lead to 46-39. The Chippewas added a 14-7 run and extended their lead to 60-44 with 8:18 left in regulation.
 
South Florida fought back with an 8-0 run and cut the deficit to 60-52 with 6:23 left in regulation. After a CMU basket, Youngblood knocked down three free throws and made it 62-55. The Bulls continued to pick up the pressure on the defensive end and forced a tough shot. Corey Walker Jr. came up with a big second-chance layup that cut the deficit to just five, 62-57, with just over three minutes left to play.
 
The teams traded baskets and free throws to close out the game as CMU knocked off USF 68-63.
 
Central Michigan came into the game shooting 26.5 percent from behind the 3-point line but ended the game shooting 53.3 percent. South Florida was just one of 17 behind the arc.
 
The South Florida defense forced 17 turnovers and recorded 18 points off those turnovers. USF came into the contest averaging 53 points off the bench and tonight they outscored CMU 33-21 in bench points. The Bulls also tallied more second-chance points, points in the paint, and fast-break points.
 
Notables
· Chris Youngblood finished with a season-high 20 points, four shy of tying a career best.
· Selton Miguel added 16 points and was the only other player in double figures.
· Corey Walker Jr. nearly collected a double-double with nine points and a game-high nine rebounds.
 
Next Up
South Florida is back home on Sunday, November 19, against Northern Iowa. The Bulls and Panthers are slated for a 5 p.m. jump, following the USF women's game against UNF.
 
Season tickets for the 2023-24 USF men's basketball slate are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, click here.
 
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About USF Men's Basketball
The South Florida men's basketball team is led by Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was named the 11th head coach in program history on March 29, 2023. Abdur-Rahim was named the 2023 Mid-Major Coach of the Year (Hugh Durham Award) after leading Kennesaw State to its first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament berth in 2022-23. Abdur-Rahim's Kennesaw State team set an NCAA record as the fastest team to ever reach the NCAA Tournament after a one-win campaign, accomplishing the feat in a span of just three seasons. He was also named the 2022-23 NABC District 3 and ASUN Coach of the Year after leading Kennesaw State to both the regular season and tournament titles, and a school-record 26 wins.
 
USF has retired three numbers in its history: Chucky Atkins (12), Charlie Bradley (30), and Radenko Dobras (31). The Bulls have earned three NCAA tournament bids, appeared in the NIT eight times, and won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational.
 
For tickets, contact the USF Ticket Office at 1-800-Go-Bulls or by going online to USFBullsTix.com.
 
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