TAMPA, Fla. – The records continue to fall off Fowler Avenue. On a Sunday afternoon when USF sold out the Yuengling Center for a second straight game, a program first, the Bulls bested SMU, 79-68, for a record 13th consecutive win.
Depending on the outcome of second-place FAU and Memphis, which tipped off later Sunday afternoon, the Bulls (21-5/14-1 American) could have a three-game conference lead with three games remaining. That would assure at least a tie for the conference title. At the very least, should FAU win, they would maintain the two-game lead they entered the day with.
Read: USF Holds Off No. 24 FAU In Front Of Record-Breaking Crowd At Yuengling Center
USF led at the half, 34-26, despite being outrebounded 12-0 on the offensive glass and being outscored 18-0 when it came to second-chance points. The Bulls also turned the ball over 10 times, two more than they had in last week’s win over FAU. The difference was the Bulls shot 48 percent from the field while the Mustangs shot 25 percent. SMU (19-9/10-5) was poor from the free throw line as well, finishing the game 15-of-31 for 48.4 percent.
The Bulls took a 10-point lead on Chris Youngblood’s jumper three minutes into the second half, a lead that swelled to 15 three minutes later on a Selton Miguel free throw. SMU closed the gap to seven points on two occasions, but could not get any closer.
The Bulls, who received 45 votes in the AP poll and 35 in the coaches’ poll, get the week off before traveling to Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. They return to the Yuengling Center on March 5 to face Tulane on Senior Night before wrapping up the schedule at Tulsa on March 9.
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