USF Men’s Basketball Hit First and Only Three of the Game with 20.1 Seconds Left to Beat Temple 52-49

Javon Greene’s off-balance three with 20.1 seconds left gave the South Florida Bulls men’s basketball team the lead for good in the Bulls 52-49 victory over the Temple Owls on Monday night inside the Yuengling Center.

Prior the made three Greene had missed his last 18 shot from the field dating back to the SMU game, and USF hadn’t made a three the entire night. Call it fate, call it luck, but most importantly, call it a dub.

Greene’s defense was apparent all night with an amazing chasedown block against the backboard early in the first half, as well as drawing two charges while getting elbowed in the face on the first one, then getting intentionally kicked in the face on the second one (it drew two foul shots).

Jamir Chaplin led all scorers with 14 points, and added four rebounds in 36 minutes. Russel Tchewa finished with 13 points and four boards as well. Caleb Murphy chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists for the Bulls.

USF got just four points from their bench, but both were on dunks by Jake Boggs. Boggs’ put-back dunk in the first half was promptly followed up by an impressive alley-oop from Murphy on the very next possession.

The Bulls continue to be an eye sore to watch on the offensive side of the ball, but defensive efforts like tonight is why they’ll steal a few more games in conference play this year, and maybe sneak up on a team in the AAC tournament.

USF (7-14, 2-7 AAC) snapped a four-game losing streak in the process tonight while continuing to be Temple’s bogey team.

The Bulls will welcome in Cincinnati (15-7, 5-4 AAC) on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.