Nassau, Bahamas, Nov. 26, 2025 – The University of South Florida men's basketball team fell to VCU, 78–66, on Wednesday afternoon in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Despite the loss, South Florida posted several strong individual and team performances, including 48 points in the paint and 39 total rebounds, while holding the Rams to just 24 made field goals.
South Florida was led by
Izaiyah Nelson, who posted 16 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting, marking his fourth double-double of the season.
Josh Omojafo added 14 points, four rebounds, and a block, consistently attacking the paint and generating scoring opportunities at the rim.
CJ Brown posted 11 points, a career-high seven rebounds, and five assists.
Joseph Pinion,
Isaiah Jones, and
Daimion Collins each added contributions to give the Bulls balanced production across the lineup.
South Florida began the first half with an aggressive offense, attacking the rim early and getting contributions from Nelson, Omojafo, and Jones to establish a steady scoring rhythm.
CJ Brown set a career high in rebounds in the first half, collecting seven defensive boards to help the Bulls control the glass.
The Bulls controlled the glass with 13 offensive rebounds and created multiple second-chance opportunities, keeping the game tight throughout the opening period. USF went into halftime trailing just 36–33 after a strong start.
In the second half, South Florida continued to attack the rim, adding another 24 points inside and shooting 41.9% from the field. Collins gave the Bulls a boost off the bench with six points, four rebounds, and a block, and Hightower added four points and two boards in 10 minutes of action.
South Florida's defense forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 15 points. The Bulls' bench contributed 16 points, with Enis, Collins, and Hightower providing key stretches. The game featured six ties and five lead changes, with USF consistently keeping the margin close before VCU pulled away late.
Despite the loss, the Bulls showcased strong interior play, balanced scoring, and physical rebounding effort as they continue their neutral-site tournament slate.
Note-a-Bulls:
- Fourth Double-Double – Izaiyah Nelson recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds, continuing his dominant presence inside for the Bulls.
- Double-Digit Depth – Three players reached double digits: Izaiyah Nelson, Josh Omojafo, and CJ Brown.
- Defensive Impact – The Bulls forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 15 points, and collected seven steals and five blocks on the afternoon.
- Career-High Boards – CJ Brown set a career high in rebounds in the first half, collecting seven defensive boards.
- Interior Efficiency – The Bulls scored 48 points in the paint and grabbed 39 rebounds, showcasing their strength on the boards and around the rim.
Up Next:
The Bulls continue in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in Nassau, Bahamas, facing Western Kentucky on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 5:30 p.m. Fans can watch the game on ESPN2 and listen live on Bulls Unlimited.
Tickets:
Men's basketball single-game and season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls or by visiting USFBullsTix.com.
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About USF Men's Basketball
South Florida men's basketball named Bryan Hodgson, 37, as the program's 12th head coach on March 24, 2025. Hodgson came to Tampa from Arkansas State, where he led the program to back-to-back 20-win seasons and its first postseason appearance since 1999 in his two seasons at the helm.
The program, entering its 55th season in 2025-26, most recently won the American Athletic Conference regular season championship in 2023-24 and has made 13 postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments, nine NITs, and a CBI championship in 2019. Three former Bulls – Chucky Atkins, Charlie Bradley, and Rodenko Dobras – have had their jerseys retired and are members of the USF Athletic Hall of Fame. The Bulls play their home games at the 10,400-seat Yuengling Center on the USF Tampa campus.
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