Junior Kasean Pryor dunks the ball on a fastbreak.
Photo by Vanessa Wenzl | The Crow’s Nest
By Jorden Pompey
University of South Florida drops to 2-2 on the season after falling to Maine University 70-59 at the Yuengling Center on Nov. 22.
Shooting and defensive miscues hindered the Bulls pulling out the win. The defensive-minded team allowed for three Black Bears to finish in the double digits in points.
The Bulls started the game off to a slow start, scoring their first point almost two minutes into game after Maine started a 6-0 run.
Momentum was not on USF’s side as the team made runs to tie the game, but Maine would soon after go on their own run to pull away.
After trailing by 11 points, the Bulls pulled within two points at halftime. USF finished the first half shoot 31% from the field, making one three pointer on 11 attempts.
“It didn’t seem we were grateful for the opportunity we have to compete, because our competitiveness didn’t seem to be on display,” Head Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim said.
The Black Bears’ defense was too much for the Bulls coming into the second half as they started with a 9-0 run. Later on increasing the lead to 13 points.
“We’re fighting wanting to be a team that hangs its hat on the defensive end of the court,” Abdur-Rahim said.
USF allowed the Black Bears to shoot 49% from the field as the Bulls finished 35% from the field.
Senior guard Chris Youngblood, who leads the team in points per game with 16, led the team with 17 points on 42% shooting.
Hofstra University hosted USF for their first road trip of season. Struggles to produce offensively continued as the Bulls fall 82-63.
Defensively, USF allowed two Pride players to score more than 20 points for the first time this season.
University of Massachusetts matched up USF on Dec. 2. The Bulls almost bounce back from the Hofstra loss, but the Minutemen were too much as they defeat USF 66-56.
Senior Guard Selton Miguel led the team with 16 points and in rebounds with five.
USF looks to turn things around in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic against Florida State University in Sunrise, Florida on Dec. 9.
