CHICAGO (December 7, 2024) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team was in action for a showdown with undefeated Loyola Chicago on Saturday. The Bulls battled until the end and had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but the shot rattled out as the Ramblers won 74-72.
 
With the loss, South Florida fell to 5-4 on the season, while Loyola Chicago improved to 8-0 on the year.
 
Jayden Reid led USF in scoring for the fourth-straight game as he tied a career-high with 23 points. It was his fifth game in double figures this season. He tied a career-high with four 3-pointers for the second-straight game. Kasen Jennings finished in double figures for the fifth time this season. Jamille Reynolds finished with his third double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. South Florida extended its streak to 29 games with at least 25 rebounds and 10 assists. 
 
Reid brought down a defensive rebound and dished it to Kobe Knox for an easy dunk to tie the game at 2-2. Two possessions later, Reynolds utilized a spin move that led to a two-handed slam and put the Bulls up 6-4. South Florida extended its lead to 10-8 at the first media timeout.
 
The Bulls extended their lead to 17-12 with a 7-4 run with just under 12 minutes left in the first half. The Ramblers scored the next nine points of the game, but the Bulls stopped the run. After a Reid 3-pointer, Jimmie Williams drove and dished it to Reynolds for his second dunk of the first half. The Bulls led 27-23.
 
South Florida extended its lead to 32-27 with just under four minutes left in the opening stanza. The Ramblers ended the half outscoring the Bulls, 8-6, but USF took a 38-35 lead into the half.
 
Reid and Jennings were tied with a game-high 10 points at the break. The Bulls shot 50.0 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from 3-point range.
 
Loyola Chicago started the second half with a 7-4 run and tied the game at 42-42 at the under-16 media timeout. The Ramblers took a 53-50 lead after outscoring the Bulls 11-8. South Florida was resilient and went on a 10-6 run, led by 3-pointers by Jennings and Quincy Ademokoya, as USF took a 60-59 lead.
 
Reid showed off his hops for a slam dunk in transition as the Bulls outscored the Ramblers 9-7 and held a 69-65 lead with 3:15 left in regulation. During the run, Reynolds accounted for four points, while Brandon Stroud converted a huge and-one opportunity for USF.
 
The two squads utilized free throws for the next two minutes, and the defensive intensity picked up on both ends. South Florida held a 71-69 lead with 55.9 left in regulation. Des Watson knocked down a 3-pointer for Loyola Chicago to give the Ramblers a 72-71 lead.
 
After two free throws put Loyola Chicago up by three, 74-71, Reid was fouled and sent to the line. He made the first one. He missed the second one intentionally. Reynolds brought down the offensive rebound and put up a shot as time expired. His shot rattled out, and Loyola Chicago won the game 74-72.
 
Des Watson posted a team-high 14 points for the Ramblers. Kymany Houinsou and Jalen Quinn each finished with 12 points. Sheldon Edwards Jr. closed out the double-digit scorers for Loyola Chicago with 11.
 
Notables
· Jayden Reid led USF in scoring for the fourth-straight game as he tied a career-high with 23 points, his fifth game in double figures this season. He knocked down a career-high four 3-pointers for the second-straight game.
· Kasen Jennings finished in double figures for the fifth time this season.
· Jamille Reynolds finished with his third double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
· South Florida extended its streak to 29 games with at least 25 rebounds and 10 assists. 
 
Up Next
The Bulls are back on the road for a contest in Utah on Saturday, December 14. South Florida will take on undefeated Utah State at 4 p.m. ET.
 
About USF Men's Basketball
The University of South Florida men's basketball, led by interim head coach Ben Fletcher, is a member of the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls enter their 2024-25 campaign, presented by Tampa General Hospital, on the heels of their best season in program history, in which they claimed their first-ever regular season conference title, won a record 25 games, and earned a Top 25 ranking for the first time in program history. A presence on the college basketball scene for more than five decades, South Florida has earned two conference titles and three NCAA tournament bids (1990, 1992, and 2012), appeared in the NIT eight times, and won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational. 
 
South Florida is wearing patches with the initials AAR this season in memory of their head coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away in October 2024.
 
The Bulls play their home games at the 10,400-seat Yuengling Center, located on South Florida's Tampa campus. 
 
Men's basketball single-game and season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls or by visiting USFBullsTix.com.
 
Follow South Florida men's basketball on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
 

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