MEMPHIS, Tenn. (January 18, 2024) – The University of South Florida men’s basketball team was back on the court for an American Athletic Conference showdown with No. 10 Memphis on Thursday. The Bulls erased a 20-point deficit and claimed a 74-73 victory. Selton Miguel and Kasean Pryor both finished the game with 20-plus points.
With the win, South Florida improved to 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the AAC, while Memphis fell to 15-3 overall and 4-1 in league games. South Florida snapped Memphis’ 10-game winning streak.
South Florida knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time since a 58-51 victory against Louisville on February 29, 2012. South Florida improved to 14-133 against ranked opponents. It is the first time since February 3, 2010, that USF defeated a top-10 team, South Florida defeated Georgetown 72-64.
USF erased a 20-point deficit, which is the second-largest comeback in program history. The only time the Bulls came back from 20 or more was 25 against Stony Brook on March 20, 2019.
The Bulls started the game on a 7-2 run capped off by a Youngblood 3-pointer. Memphis scored the game’s next four points, but South Florida held a 7-6 lead at the media timeout.
The Tigers went on a 15-3 run and took a 21-10 lead with 11:16 left in the first half. Memphis extended its lead with an 8-4 run and held a 29-14 lead at the under-eight media timeout. USF continued to battle, but the Tigers outscored the Bulls 11-10 and extended their lead to 40-24 with 3:44 left in the half.
South Florida outscored Memphis 8-7 to close out the first half. Selton Miguel notched all eight points from the Bulls.
Memphis scored the first five points of the second half, but South Florida responded with six unanswered. Kasean Pryor and Kobe Knox both knocked down a 3-pointer. The Bulls went on a 5-3 run and cut the deficit to 11, 54-43, at the first media timeout of the second half.
The Bulls rattled off a 12-5 run and cut the deficit to just four, 59-54, with 10:45 left in regulation. During the run, Miguel and Brandon Stroud each added five points.
The two squads continued to battle and traded baskets. It was a six-point game, 64-58, at the under-eight media timeout. The Bulls outscored the Tigers 8-5 and pulled within three points, 69-66. South Florida ended the game on an 8-4 run. Jayden Reid tied the game with a layup with 37 seconds left on the clock. Pryor gave the Bulls a 74-73 lead with four seconds left on the clock.
Miguel finished with 23 points. He added two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Pryor added a 21-point effort and added 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He added two assists and one steal. Youngblood posted a 13-point performance. It was his 12th game in double figures. He brought down two rebounds to go along with three assists, and two steals.
David Jones recorded a game-high 25 points for Memphis to go along with five rebounds and one steal. Jahvon Quinerly went for 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Nae’Qwan Tomlin closed out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. He brought down a team-high seven rebounds.
Notables
· South Florida knocked off a ranked opponent for the first time since a 58-51 victory against Louisville on February 29, 2012. South Florida improved to 14-133 against ranked opponents. It is the first time since February 3, 2010, that USF defeated a top-10 team, South Florida defeated Georgetown 72-64.
· The Bulls picked up their first win on ESPN since the start of the 2017-18 season. USF moved to 27-55 on nationally televised contests.
· USF erased a 20-point deficit, which is the second-largest comeback in program history. The only time the Bulls came back from 20 or more was 25 against Stony Brook on March 20, 2019.
· The USF bench outscored the Memphis bench 27-23. The South Florida bench has outscored its opponents in 13 of the 15 games on the season.
· Selton Miguel finished with 23 points, his 13th game in double figures and his 11th straight. He added two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
· Kasen Pryor added a 21-point effort and added 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He added two assists and one steal.
· Chris Youngblood posted a 13-point performance. It was his 12th game in double figures. He brought down two rebounds to go along with three assists, and two steals.
Next Up
The Bulls return to the friendly confines of the Yuengling Center on Sunday, Jan. 21. South Florida hosts Wichita State at 2 p.m. 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.
