There were times Tuesday when the USF men’s basketball team looked ready to challenge for a second straight American Athletic Conference championship.
But as the Bulls opened AAC play against East Carolina, there were other times when they looked like a team that hadn’t quite figured everything out.
USF prevailed 75-69, but the Bulls let things get uncomfortably close in the second half. The Pirates sliced a USF lead that had stretched to 20 points down to five with one minute to play, but the Bulls held on.
It was reminiscent of the Bulls’ game earlier this season against Stetson. That’s where USF led by 18 points with 6:42 left in the second half, only to see it almost evaporate before holding on for a two-point win.
The Bulls made nine of their last 10 free throws to thwart the Pirates’ comeback, and they outscored ECU’s bench 41-9.
“Being able to step up to the line and knock them down when you need them, that's always a good sign,” USF interim head coach Ben Fletcher said. “But I'll say this. I'm disappointed in some of the turnovers that we had down the stretch because I thought that helped them get some of those baskets where we were kind of stagnant.
USF improved to 8-6 overall and 1-0 in the AAC.
The Bulls had a lot of trouble with East Carolina’s pressure defense, which is a concern going forward. Also, the Pirates grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. Can’t have that.
What they can have, though, is a performance like Kobe Knox gave. Since Fletcher shook up the starting lineup three games ago to bring Knox off the bench, he has been just what the Bulls need. He led USF with 18 points in this game.
Knox was 7-for-8 from the floor and hit all three free throws he attempted.
“Coach Fletcher needs me to come off the bench and make shots. It’s a great feeling to execute for the team and get the win,” he said.
It was USF’s 12th straight AAC victory at the Yuengling Center.
“Every game is a juggernaut in this league. And you know, to have the first one at home was good for us,” Fletcher said.
“You’ve got to take care of the home court. And because now we go to a Wichita, where it's tough to win, you’ve got to take advantage of home games.”
The Bulls did that.
Maybe it was a little shaky, but they accomplished their mission.