It was looking bleak for the USF men’s basketball team in its opening game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational Thursday afternoon,
Portland was raining threes with seeming ease and jumped to an 11-point lead less than five minutes into the game. The Bulls adjusted, though, and soon took command and secured a 74-68 victory to advance to the next round of the three-game event.
USF plays Middle Tennessee today at 2 p.m on ESPN2. The winner gets a berth in the finals. Middle Tennessee opened with an 83-81 overtime win over Ohio U.
In other games, Bradley beat Texas State 82-68 and Wright State knocked off Princeton 80-62.
The Bulls overcame the slow start against the Pilots by swift ball movement and balanced scoring. They had four players in double figures, led by Kobe Knox with 14 points. Brandon Stroud had 11 points while CJ Brown and Jamille Reynolds both finished with 10 points.
After leading by 11 with 11:23 to play, the Bulls had to withstand one last Portland rush. The Pilots pulled to within 63-61 with 3:48 to play, but got no closer. The Bulls pulled away and secured the win.
USF has now won three straight games after opening the season with losses to Florida and Charleston Southern.