Dec. 4, 2002

Box Score

Derek Lambeth and DaShawn Freeman each scored 13 points to pace Sacramento State to a 62-57 come-from behind nonconference basketball win over USF at Hornet Gym Wednesday night.

USF fought back from a late deficit and had a chance to tie the score, but John Cox's baseline jumper with :13 left bounced off the rim and a followup foul on Michael Chambers was called intentional, insuring the Hornets' win.

Cox paced USF with 17 points, hitting 7 of 13 shots from the floor, while Darrell Tucker added 16 (and 15 rebounds), but scored just four after halftime.

USF (1-4) looked to be on their way to a win after they outscored the hosts 9-2 to start the second half to take a 34-28 lead. But the Hornets, 2-3 and undefeated at home this season, went on a 12-2 run to take the lead for good.

The Dons lost the game at the free-throw line making just three of seven free-throws while the Hornets made 10 of 18. USF also turned the ball over 14 times to eight by the hosts. Both teams shot the ball at 46% for the night, but USF has a 38-27 edge on the boards.

USF, who hosts Fresno State Saturday in the Northwestern Mutual Mayor's Game at Memorial Gym, trailed 26-25 at intermission despite out shooting the Hornets 45.8 to 42.9%.

It was a see-saw half with Sacramento State taking a early 15-8 lead, followed by a 16-4 run by USF that put the Dons ahead 24-19, paced by Darrell Tucker. Tucker scored nine of his 12 first half points in that run. The Dons wound up trailing at halftime after the Hornets made a 7-1 run to close out the half. Cox was the only other USF player with more than two points at the half with five points.