The USF Bulls broke an eight game losing skid with a big 75-51 win over the Memphis Tigers on Wednesday. The Bulls took a 3-0 lead early when Payton Banks made a three-pointer less than a minute into the game and never relinquished their lead throughout the game.
USF had full control of the first half, leading most of the period by double digit points before taking a 22 point lead, 45-23, into the haltftime break. Banks accounted for 15 of those points after giving his team the early lead.
In the second half, USF was on cruise control. Memphis was unable to cut into the Bulls’ lead. USF lead by as much as 27 points on multiple occasions in the second half, never letting the Tigers within less than 20.
Despite the lopsided loss to the Bulls, Memphis’ Kyvon Davenport had a good game, scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. The only other Tiger in double digits was Jimario Rivers, who finished with 11 points.
Malik Martin would score 19 points for the Bulls, tying Banks for the team lead. Two other Bulls, Isaiah Manderson and Stephan Jiggetts, broke into double-digits, with 10 and 12 points, respectively.
The Tigers drop to 18-12 (9-8) with the loss. They’ll look to rebound in their next matchup against ECU on Sunday, March 4th, before beginning play in the American Conference Championship Tournament, next week.
USF will finish their season at home against SMU on Saturday, March 3rd, and will be looking to end the season on a high note. If they can put together a pair of wins, they might be able to make some noise in the tournament.
