The USF Bulls (23-14) fell to DePaul (19-16) 100-96 in overtime on Wednesday night in Chicago. The loss ties the best-of-three series at one game apiece and forces a winner-take-all deciding game on Friday night.
DePaul built a 46-35 halftime lead over USF, but as the Bulls have done all season, they pushed back. After Paul Reed hit a three to give the Blue Demons a three point lead in the final minutes, the Bulls answered with a three of their own from Alexis Yetna with 30 seconds left that would force overtime. In the overtime frame, Lyrick Scheiner lifted the Bulls to a 94-88 lead with 1:41 to go - from there, the Blue Demons clinched the win by making foul shots.
Laquincy Rideau had a career high 35 points for the Bulls and added eight assists in the loss - Alexis Yetna added a double double, with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Max Strus had 32 points to lead the way for DePaul, while Paul Reed had a career high 26 points and added 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.
USF and DePaul will square off one final time with the CBI Championship on the line on Friday night. Tipoff Friday from Chicago is set for 7 PM.