USF Men’s Basketball Sends the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions to the Elephants’ Graveyard in 70-41 Victory

Junior guard David Collins scored a game-high 18 points, and added two blocks and two steals as the University of South Florida men’s basketball team suffocated the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 70-41 on Tuesday night inside the Yuengling Center.

“Heading into this game, the guys—as good teammates would be—had a bit of dullness around them with the news with [Alexis Yetna being out for the season],” head coach Brian Gregory said. “I think it was important that we got out there and competed.”

The Bulls took an 11-point lead into halftime thanks to Collins’ 11 points and junior guard Justin Brown’s seven. But, in the second half the defensive intensity went to a different level, and USF held UAPB to just 15 second-half points to pull away.

“The coaches said [at halftime] ‘the game’s kinda close, we gotta pick it up’ and we just took that mindset and came out and stopped them,” senior guard Laquincy Rideau said.

USF’s defense forced 12 second half turnovers, allowed just four made baskets, and held the Golden Lions to 29% shooting to extend the lead. Rideau, Collins, and forward Antun Maricevic each had two steals.

Rideau had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the year. Brown had 12 points and went 3-for-5 from behind the arc.

USF will face Boston College on Sunday at 12 p.m. inside the Yuengling Center.

Notables:

• Freshman forward B.J. Mack had six points in his collegiate debut. He showed a great mid-range jump shot throughout the night.
• Freshman Jamir Chaplin recorded two points and a rebound in his USF debut.
• Oklahoma State transfer Zach Dawson chipped in five points and four rebounds in his USF debut.