TAMPA, Fla. (February 18, 2024) – The University of South Florida men's basketball team was back inside the Yuengling Center in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,659 for a pivotal American Athletic Conference showdown with No. 24 Florida Atlantic on Sunday.
Selton Miguel recorded a career-high 25 points as the Bulls took down the Owls 90-86.
With the win, South Florida improved to 19-5 overall and 12-1 in the AAC, while Florida Atlantic fell to 20-6 overall and 10-3 in league games. The attendance of 10,659 set a program record for attendance, beating the previous mark of 10,444 against Florida on December 8, 2001.
The Bulls extended their winning streak to 11 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history. The 12 wins in conference play ties the most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12. The 11-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season. The Bulls defeated two ranked opponents in the season for the fifth time in program history. It is the first since the 2011-12 season when USF knocked off Seton Hall (23) and Louisville (19).
After the Owls scored the first points of the game, the Bulls opened the game on a 13-4 run.
Chris Youngblood knocked down two 3-pointers during the run, while
Kobe Knox added a 3-pointer.
The Owls outscored the Bulls 5-3 over the next four minutes of play, but USF led 16-9.
South Florida added a 10-7 run and extended its lead to 26-16 with 7:08 left to play in the opening stanza.
Brandon Stroud found Knox for an alley-oop.
USF outscored FAU 10-9 as Miguel knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers. The Bulls held a 36-25 with 3:55 left until the half. South Florida added a 10-6 run to close out the half and took a 46-31 lead into the break. Miguel hit his fourth 3-pointer before the half expired.
A technical foul led to Youngblood taking and making two free throws before the second half started. He added three more free throws after he was fouled on a 3-point attempt. The Bulls opened the second half on a 15-10 run and extended their lead to 61-41 with 15:37 left in regulation.
After Youngblood drained another 3-pointer, Jayde Reid found
Kasean Pryor with an outlet pass. Pryor took the pass and got the Youngling Center rocking with a slam dunk. USF led FAU 66-41 with 12:43 left on the clock.
The Owls scored the only basket before the under-12 media timeout. USF held a 66-43 lead with 11:25 left in regulation. Florida Atlantic went on a 10-4 run and cut the South Florida lead to 71-52 with 7:29 left on the clock.
FAU went on a 19-10 run and cut USF's lead to 80-72 with 3:39 left in regulation. The Owls kept the pressure on the Bulls and cut the deficit to just one, 87-86, with 24 seconds left on the clock. Youngblood came up back on the free-throw line and scored the final three points from the free-throw line as South Florida knocked off No. 24 Florida Atlantic 90-86.
Miguel led all scorers with a career-high 25 points. He added four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Youngblood added 23 points with two rebounds. It was the second time this season that two USF players finished with 20 or more points.
Corey Walker Jr. collected a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points, a team-high three assists, two blocks, and one steal.
The USF bench outscored the FAU bench 38-10. The Bulls held the advantage in second-chance points, 11-10, as USF collected 10 offensive rebounds. South Florida outscored Florida Atlantic 15-12 in fastbreak points.
Vladislav Golden led FAU with a 23-point performance. He added two rebounds and two blocks. Johnell Davis added 20 points with a team-high six rebounds. He dished out a game-high five assists. Alijah Martin went for 17 points, four rebounds, and one steal. Nick Boyd closed out the double-digit scorers with 16 points. He added three assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
Notables
· The Bulls extended their winning streak to 11 conference games, extending the longest streak in program history.
· The 12 wins in conference play ties the most in program history behind the 12 wins in the Big East in 2011-12.
· The 11-game winning streak is the second-longest winning streak in program history, trailing only the 12-game streak set during the 1980-81 season.
· The Bulls defeated two ranked opponents in the season for the fifth time in program history. It is the first since the 2011-12 season when USF knocked off Seton Hall (23) and Louisville (19).
· The attendance of 10,659 set a program record for attendance, beating the previous mark of 10,444 against Florida on December 8, 2001.
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Selton Miguel led all scorers with a career-high 25 points. It was his 20th game in double figures and his fourth with over 20 points. He added four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
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Chris Youngblood added 23 points with two rebounds. It was his 19th game in double digits and is sixth with 20 or more.
· It was the second time this season that two USF players finished with 20 or more points.
Next Up
USF takes to the road for a matchup with UTSA on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The Bulls and Roadrunners are slated for an 8 p.m. ET tip.
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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. 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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