Jan. 15, 2005
USF, paced by 31 points by John Cox including 21 after intermission, came from behind to defeat the University of San Diego 87-82 in overtime in a West Coast Conference game at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Dons also got 22 points from Tyrone Riley and 13 from Jerome Gumbs. It was the first league win for USF (10-6, 1-2) under new head coach Jessie Evans and the Dons had to battle back twice to do it. The Dons improved to a perfect 8-0 at Memorial Gymnasium. San Diego (9-7, 1-2 WCC) was paced by 20 points by Brice Vounang and 18 each by Brandon Gay and Nick Lewis. USF trailed 50-42 at the half, as Torero forward Nick Lewis scored 16 points in the first half and Brice Vounang added 11. The guests shot 58 percent in the first half to 42.9% for USF who got 15 points by Riley before the break. The Dons, who were outshot and outrebounded by San Diego, were once again strong in the turnover margin, forcing 19 Torero turnovers while making just eight on their own. After San Diego took a 10-point lead at 52-42 at the 19:15 point of the second half, USF made an 15-6 run to get to within one with 14:12 remaining with Cox having 10 points in the stretch. Cox's layup gave USF the lead for the first time in the second half at the 11;11 mark, a lead the Dons held until 1:29 left in regulation when USD's Vounang tied it. The teams remained scoreless for the remainder of regulation. USF had to again come back in overtime, trailing 81-77 with 2:18 left. But again it was Cox to the rescue hitting a crucial three with 2:00 left starting a 10-1 run to close out the game that included four straight free-throws by Jerome Gumbs.
"We proved we were fighters out there against a really good shooting, talented San Diego team," said Evans. "But the key was giving up just 26 points in the second half, after giving up 50 in the first." USF hosts nationally ranked Gonzaga Thursday night, in a game that is close to selling out and Portland Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium. |
|
