USF Bulls Struggle, But Get First Win 67-61 Over SMU Mustangs

The Bulls started the season off right with a win, albeit an ugly one as they clawed their way to a 67-61 victory over SMU. Augustus Gilchrist led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds. He was assisted by Chris Howard’s 14 points and seven assists.

Dominique Jones, the team’s catalyst, struggled in his first game with only 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. The Bulls will once again expect big things out of their star player this season. His shooting woes are usually directly correlated into sub par performances by USF offensively.

The Bulls as a team shot 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from behind the arc. Their three point shooting struggled in their opening game as to be expected early in the season, however this must improve quickly when Big East play starts on December 30th.

Derek Williams led the Mustangs with 19 points, and was accompanied by Mouhammad Faye’s 12 points. They led the Bulls 32-29 after the first half and were looking to pull off the upset. The Mustang’s second half shooting woes doomed their chances of getting their first victory on the season. Shooting only 43 percent from the field and a dreadful 28 percent from behind the arc, the Mustangs were outscored 38-29 in the second half.

USF’s next game is on Monday versus the Virginia Cavaliers (1-0), in what should be another tough test for a young Bulls team. The non-conference schedule is especially important for this Bulls team that has been predicted to once again finish last in Big East play. Every win counts, especially the early ones, many of which will be winnable games for the Bulls.

USF showed poise in getting the victory tonight, but it will have to show drastic improvement as the season progresses in order to compete against their brutally difficult schedule.