The USF Bulls (7-17, 1-12) got their first conference win and snapped a 12-game losing streak by knocking off East Carolina (11-14, 3-9) 64-57 on Saturday night at the Sun Dome.
South Florida built a 33-22 lead at halftime and a 48-34 lead midway through the second half. East Carolina answered with a 12-2 run to pull within 50-46 before Geno Thorpe led a run that ended with a layup that put USF ahead 58-49. From there USF was able to hold on, in part by limiting the Pirates to 36% shooting from the floor, while shooting 42% themselves.
Geno Thorpe came off the bench with twenty-two points to lead all scorers - he also hit three 3-pointers and dished out eight assists. Tulio Da Silva added thirteen points, also off the bench, while grabbing seven rebounds. Jeremy Sheppard scored seventeen points to lead East Carolina - Kentrell Barkley added a double-double with twelve points and twelve assists.
USF is back in action when they host eleventh-ranked Cincinnati on Wednesday night - tipoff from the Sun Dome is 7 PM.