South Florida Bulls Suffer Another Conference Loss and Another Transfer

USF started the season with a full roster, but with injuries, transfers, and suspensions the bench is pretty lonely these days. Augustus Gilchrist will return from an ankle injury in a few weeks, that’s the good news; the bad news is Anthony Crater’s suspension doesn’t seem to have any end in sight. The transfers of Jordan Dumars and Justin Leemow have also left the Bulls scratching their heads this season.

Justin Leemow announced today that he will leave the team; no information was given if he will officially transfer to another school at this time. Jordan Dumars enrolled at Michigan yesterday and will play for them next year after he sits out this season.

Stan Heath has made no announcement of the status of Anthony Crater and it seems likely his playing days for the Bulls, which never existed in the first place, are over. Crater failed his second drug test and was suspended last month by coach Heath.

USF looked out of sync against Louisville in its conference opener last weekend. Tonight was a different story as the Bulls battled with Notre Dame in the friendly confines of the Sun Dome.

USF went into the half tied with the Irish (13-3), but got down for most of the second half. They stormed back in the last three minutes of the game led by Dominique Jones with a team-high 26 points.

Mike Mercer had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Jarrid Famous added 14 points and five rebounds as both players tried to equal Gilchrist's production. Toarlyn Fitzpatrick chipped in 13 points and six rebounds as the only other Bull in double figures.

The Bulls didn’t have an answer for Luke Harangody who had a game-high 36 points. Tory Jackson and Tyrone Nash both added 11 points, and Tim Abromaitis chipped in 10 points as the other Irish players in double figures.

Harangody had the game-winning point as he was fouled with 1.8 seconds left and made one of his two free throws giving the Irish a 74-73 win in Tampa.

USF (10-4) is now 0-2 in conference play, but looked much improved from the Louisville game. Their next game is going to be a tough one as they travel to Syracuse (13-1). If the Bulls keep this game close it will be a moral victory and something they can build some confidence on.