Dec. 20, 2001

Box Score

USF, paced by junior Darrell Tucker's season high 28 points and 14 rebounds, took control early and blasted Southern University 93-78 Thursday night in Baton Rouge. USF took an early 26-13 lead and led by as many as 27 at 82-55 before clearing the bench.

Hondre Brewer added a season-high 14 points and freshman point guard Jason Gaines scored a career best nine points. John Cox added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Dons (3-7) while Carl Alexander paced Southern (0-10) with 15 points.

The Dons outrebounded their hosts 51-38 and shot over 50% (52.4%) for the second straight contest, while holding Southern to 38% shooting. Southern shot 33 three-pointers during the game, making 10, with seven in the second half, most after the game had been well decided.

USF took control of the game early with Tucker taking control. He scored thirteen consecutive USF points as the Dons took an early ten-point lead. USF extended the lead to 26-13 after a 10-0 run. USF lead 43-31 at the half, paced by Tucker's 16 first half points and six rebounds.

The Dons take a short holiday break before resuming practice on December 26th for the Pete Newell Challenge vs. Michigan at the Pete Newell Challenge in Oakland on the 29th. USF then has a road game at BYU on January 2nd before playing its final nonconference game vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi on January 5th. USF opens WCC play on January 11th when they host Loyola Marymount.

Southern was playing just their second home game of the season and its last of the season in the Clark Activity Center, which is being renovated.