BULLS STILL CAN'T WIN BACK-TO-BACK IN BIG EAST

February 11, 2009


South Florida had hoped to build some momentum after their stunning 57-56 upset over Marquette last Friday night when they welcomed Providence into the Sun Dome Tuesday night for a Big East conference match-up. Instead, USF Crashes to Earn, Falls to Providence (Tampa Tribune) 77-62.

The Bulls Momentum Disappears Quickly Yet Again (Tampa Tribune) as USF fails to win back-to-back Big East games for the first time in their 61-game history of Big East play. The Bulls' lack of depth, PC's bench outscored USF's 35-6, lack of inside muscle, guard Dominique Jones was the USF leading rebounder with 8 and lack of overall shot-making ability, the Bulls were 5-16 from the foul-line and 3-19 from three-point range, all came front and center as USF Deflates in Home Loss to Providence (St. Pete Times).

The Friars snap a three-game losing streak as Providence Romps at South Florida (Providence Journal) behind the strength of their 51% shooting from the field. After USF cut the lead to 62-57 with 4:15 to go, a 13-2 run by PC put the game out of reach.

Jonathan Kale had a team-high 15 points along with 9 rebounds for PC and Randall Hanke and Marshon Brooks each scored 14 off the bench. Sharaud Curry added 11 points in the win.

Dominique Jones, the sophomore USF guard, was the lone brightspot for the Bulls, scoring a game-high 29 points and grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds. Outside of his effort, his teammates combined to shoot 15-45 from the field, 0-11 from three-point range and 3-13 from the free-throw line.

The Bulls, 3-8 in Big East play, head to South Bend on Sunday to face Notre Dame.