Tampa, Fla, Dec. 21, 2025 – The University of South Florida men's basketball team defeated the University of Maryland, Baltimore County this Sunday, by a score of 94-69. This was the third-largest margin of victory this season for the Bulls.

The Bulls improved to 5-0 at home this season, their best home start since going 5-0 during the 2014-15 season.

Joseph Pinion led the Bulls in scoring with 25 points, via a career-high seven three-point field goals made, on 12 shots. Izaiyah Nelson recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Devin Haid also contributed a season-high 17 minutes, nine points, five assists, and three steals in an increased role. 

Adriel Nyorha was given his first career start in South Florida's Holiday Celebration game. Fans donned ugly Christmas sweaters as the Bulls took on the Bobcats (8-3). UMBC came out fighting over screens and chasing down rebounds. Just under seven minutes into the game, the teams were knotted at 13 apiece.

From there, South Florida doubled the Bobcats' output, going on a 32 to 16 run over the final 13 minutes. The Bulls built up their largest lead of the first half at 16 points, leading 45 to 29. Pinion and Omojafo (nine points each) led the Bulls in scoring at the half. Omojafo led the Bulls with 10 free throw attempts, converting seven.

The Bulls' consistent defensive pressure and rebounding kept them ahead and slowly built their lead in the second half, culminating with their largest lead of the night reaching 28 (79 to 51) with just over eight minutes left in the game.

From there, they closed it out to win 94 to 69, giving them their third-largest margin of victory this season, scoring 90 or more points for the eighth time in 12 games.

Note-a-Bulls:

• Offensive Benchmark – USF has scored 90 or more points in eight of 12 games this season.
• Double-Digit Depth – Three or more Bulls have reached double digits in scoring every game this season. Today it was: Joseph Pinion, Izaiyah Nelson, and Josh Omojafo.
• Bench Contributions – Devin Hair recorded a season-high 17 minutes, nine points, five assists, and three steals in an increased role. 
• Season Milestone – Izaiyah Nelson posted 20 points and 11 rebounds to record his eighth double-double of the season.
• Tempo Production – The Bulls continued to play at one of the fastest tempos in the nation, ranking 19th in Division I in adjusted tempo (KenPom).

Up Next:
South Florida returns home after the holidays to host Georgia College and State University on Monday, Dec. 29, at 4:30 p.m. ET at the Yuengling Center. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ 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 55^th 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.

– #GoBulls –