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The USF Bulls men’s basketball team dropped their third straight game since beginning conference play, falling to ECU, 67-65.  The Bulls had opportunities at the end of the game to tie or win it out right, but missed two shots in the final 15 seconds in the loss.

USF had the advantage in the first half of the game, leading throughout and by as many as ten points before taking an eight point, 35-29 lead into the halftime break.  Bulls’ guard, Stephan Jiggets, had a strong half, finishing with 11 points. 

The Bulls maintained a lead throughout most of the second half, leading by eight with 12 minutes to go.  The Pirates tied the game with 9:25 remaining, after which the two teams traded the lead.  Jiggets made back-to-back free throws to get USF within two points with 23 seconds left in the game.  A pass off the hands of Barkley with 18 seconds left gave the Bulls the ball at their end of the court.  Terrance Samuel attempted a jump shot with ten seconds to go, only to miss the go ahead points.  The ball was out of bounds off an ECU player, giving USF one more chance with seven seconds remaining in the game.  Samuel got the ball again, this time missing a three pointer with three seconds on the clock.  USF’s Isaiah Manderson would get the rebound, but was not able to put up a shot before time expired. 

Despite losing at the end, USF led more than twice as much time, 26:52 to 10:01.  They were beaten badly in the paint, 30-22, and turned the ball over more than twice as much, 14-6.  That turnover edge for ECU turned into points more often, as well, 13-6.

Four Pirates broke into double-digit scoring.  They were led by Barkley, who had 16.  B.J. Tyson, Jabari Craig, and Isaac Fleming scored 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively.  ECU improves to 7-7 (1-2) on the season with the win.  They will visit 7-6 (0-2) UConn on Saturday, January 6th

Only Samuel would join Jiggets in double-digit scoring for the Bulls.  Jiggets finished with 18 and Samuel knocked down 15 points.  One positive for USF was 53% shooting from beyond the arc, better than their 46% accuracy from the rest of the field.  They also hit 83% from the free throw line. 

USF drops to 7-9 on the season, losing three straight conference games and hosting 11-2 (1-0), #9 Wichita State on Sunday, January 7th.  That game can be viewed nationally on CBS Sports Network.  Tip-off is 4 PM, EST.

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