Dec. 2, 2002

Box Score

Darrell Tucker scored 33 points, one short of his career high to lead USF to a 82-71 victory over Southern University Monday night at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Dons came back from a nine point halftime deficit to record their first win of the year.

The Dons trailed 49-40 at the half after Southern shot an incredible 63% before intermission. But USF turned the game around early in the second half, taking a 53-21 lead at the 16:22 mark.

The Dons took the lead for good at 12:13 on a three pointer by Mike Chambers and built the lead up the rest of the contest. The second half shooting percentages showed the turn in the game, as USF shot 69.6% to Southern's 29%.

"I told the team at halftime that our goal was to limit them to 30% shooting in the second half, and we did it," said Dons' coach Philip Mathews. "We clamped down on them and took control."

John Cox added 15 points, Brandon Queen, a career high 11 and Shamell Stallworth 11 to guide the Dons (1-3) to the win. Brian Johnson (17 points) and Timothy Johnson (20 points) paced the Jaguars (1-2), but Timothy Johnson failed to score in the second half.

Tucker was 12 of 19 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from three-point range. The Dons made 8 of 15 from outside the arc on the night.

USF plays at Sacramento State on Wednesday night before hosting Fresno State Saturday in the televised (KRON) Northwestern Mutual Mayor's game.