David Collins’ Three-Pointer Lifts USF Men’s Basketball to 67-66 Victory Over SMU

With just six seconds left on the clock, USF men’s basketball sophomore guard David Collins drilled his third three of the game to give the Bulls a 67-66 victory over the SMU Mustangs on Thursday night.

USF (16-6, 6-4 AAC) led by as many as nine points with five minutes to play in the game, but the Mustangs, led by former Bull Jahmal McMurray would not go away quietly. SMU went on an 11-0 run to take a 64-61 lead with 1:27 to play before Collins, made his second three of the night to tie it up with under a minute to play.

Playing without stud redshirt freshman forward Alexis Yetna due to the hamstring injury he suffered versus Memphis, Collins stepped up when the team needed him most. He poured in 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, and added three assists, four rebounds, and three steals on the night.

Rideau recorded his 69th steal of the season to break the tie he had with Leon Smith for most steals in a single season. Smith’s record stood for 45 years before Rideau broke it. By the end of the season, Smith could end up being third for most steals in a season with Collins’ three steals pushing his total to 51 on the year.

The Gardner-Webb transfer had 14 points (four three’s), nine assists, and six rebounds for USF.

Because of the added game with Florida College, USF technically has to win one more game to secure at least a .500 record. They’ll try to do just that on Sunday at 5:30 inside the Yuengling Center when they host ECU.

Notable:

• USF’s 11 made three’s are the most in a game this season. Seven combined from Rideau and Collins.
• Courtesy of Connor Akeman: It’s been 27 years since men’s basketball has been ten games over .500. Nathan, Steeg, Connor, Carl, Will, Diandra, and Nick were not born yet. Collin was like 45.
• Jahmal McMurray finished with 15 points for the Mustangs.