GREENVILLE, N.C. (January 31, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team was back on the court on Wednesday for an American Athletic Conference matchup with East Carolina. Chris Youngblood finished with a game-high 20 points as South Florida defeated East Carolina 70-61.
The Bulls improved to 14-5 overall and 7-1 in AAC play, while the Pirates fell to 11-11 overall and 4-5 in conference action.
The Bulls extended their winning streak to six conference games, which ties the longest in program history. The last time USF won six conference games in a row was the 1991-92 season as a member of the Metro Conference.
South Florida started the season 14-5 for just the fifth time in program history. It is the first time since the 1990-91 campaign. The 7-1 start to conference play is the best in program history.
The Bulls came out of the gates strong with an 11-0 run. Brandon Stroud, Chris Youngblood, and Kasean Pryor each knocked down a 3-pointer. ECU answered with an 8-0 and cut the USF lead to 13-8 with 11:13 left until the break.
South Florida outscored East Carolina 9-6 over the next five minutes of play and extended its lead to 22-16. Selton Miguel drained a 3-pointer to put the Bulls up 25-20. After a 3-pointer from Youngblood, Knox recorded a highlight-reel dunk. Jayden Reid drove into the paint and kicked it to a cutting Knox. Knox elevated for an emphatic slam dunk. The Bulls held a 30-20 lead with 3:50 left until the break.
USF outscored ECU 10-8 to close out the half. South Florida took a 40-28 lead into the half.
The Pirates opened the second half with a 12-6 run and cut the Bulls’ lead to 48-40 with 13:02 left in the second half. The two sides traded baskets to make the score 50-42 in favor of South Florida.
The Bulls were unfazed and went on a 10-3 run and extended their lead to 60-45 with 7:58 left in regulation. During the run, Youngblood surpassed 1,500 career points.
The two sides traded seven points as South Florida took a 67-52 lead with 3:30 left to play. The Pirates outscored the Bulls 8-4 for the remainder of the game, but USF claimed a 71-60 victory.
Youngblood finished with a game-high 20 points to go along with a game-high six assists and one rebound. Miguel posted a 14-point performance with three rebounds and one steal. Pryor recorded his fifth double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. He added two blocks, two assists, and one steal.
Cam Hayes led ECU with 14 points with three steals, three assists, and one rebound. RJ Felton was the only other Pirate in double figures with 13 points. The USF defense held Felton below his season average. He added five rebounds with three steals and two blocks.
Notables
· The Bulls extended their winning streak to six conference games, which ties the longest in program history. The last time USF won six conference games in a row was the 1991-92 season as a member of the Metro Conference.
· South Florida started the season 14-5 for just the fifth time in program history. It is the first time since the 1990-91 campaign.
· The 7-1 start to conference play is the best in program history.
· For the third time this season, the Bulls finished with five guys in double figures.
· Youngblood finished with a game-high 20 points to go along with a game-high six assists and one rebound. Youngblood surpassed 1,500 career points.
· Miguel posted a 14-point performance with three rebounds and one steal. · Chris Youngblood went for 15 points and collected three rebounds with one assist.
· Pryor recorded his fifth double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. He added two blocks, two assists, and one steal.
Next Up
The Bulls stay on the road to start the month of February. South Florida takes on North Texas on Saturday, Feb. 3. The tip between the Bulls and Mean Green is slated for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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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.
