Mardi Gras Hangover: USF Men’s Basketball Flirts With Disaster in New Orleans, But Escape With 75-70 Win Over Tulane

Behind a career-high 20 points from sophomore guard Justin Brown, the USF men’s basketball team was able to secure their 19th win of the season in a 75-70 decision against Tulane in New Orleans.

Brown had just three points in the first half before exploding for 17 second half points on to help the Bulls win. He finished the night 7-of-13 from the field, and 5-of-9 from behind the arc. Brown made four of his five three’s in the second half, including an old-fashioned three-point play during a four minute span where he scored 11 of the Bulls 12 points.

USF was without starting point guard LaQuincy Rideau (foot) tonight and freshman Xavier Castaneda got the start in his place. The freshman from Chicago chipped in seven points, three rebounds, three assists, with five turnovers in 33 minutes.

Sophomore guard David Collins recorded his 10th 20-point game of season, shooting 5-of-8 from the field, 2-of-4 from distance, and 8-of-13 from the line.

The Green Wave (4-25, 0-17 AAC) gave the Bulls everything they could handle in the second half, cutting what was a 16-point lead early in the second half to just four with less than a minute to play. Despite not making a field goal for the last 3:24 of the game, the Bulls made enough free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

USF (19-11, 8-9 AAC) will host SMU on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. for Senior Day inside the Yuengling Cener.

Notables:

• Center Michael Durr recorded 10 rebounds. It’s his seventh career double digit rebounding performance and second in as many games.
• Forward Alexis Yetna finished with nine points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes. He shot 4-of-12 from the field, 1-of-4 from three. He’s 3-for-22 (13.6%) from distance since returning from injury in mid-February.
• Guard TJ Lang had 11 points off the bench and made three three’s and chipped in three rebounds and two assists.