Can the South Florida Bulls Maintain Their Edge Against Alabama State Hornets?
The South Florida Bulls edged out a close contest against the Alabama State Hornets, with a final score of 73-70. The Bulls now hold a season record of 0-0, while the Hornets also stand at 0-0.
In an intense matchup at the Yuengling Center, the home team displayed resilience and skill to secure victory. The Bulls started strong in the first half, putting up 41 points against the Hornets' 33. However, they faced a tougher challenge in the second half as their opponents rallied to add another 37 points to their tally. Despite being outscored in that half with only 32 points by the Bulls, it was enough to clinch a win.
The game was marked by frequent shifts in momentum as evidenced by nine times tied and eleven lead changes throughout. Both teams were relentless, but it was ultimately South Florida's superior shooting accuracy that made the difference; they boasted a field goal percentage of 44 percent compared to Alabama State's 38 percent.
South Florida's prowess from beyond the arc was particularly notable as they converted an impressive 48 percent of their three-point attempts into points. With fourteen three-pointers made, this aspect of their game proved crucial in keeping them ahead on the scoreboard.
Defensively, both teams were almost neck-and-neck with blocks; however, South Florida managed four blocks over Alabama State's two. This slight edge contributed to their overall defensive solidity which helped maintain their lead despite pressure from Alabama State.
Free throws were another area where South Florida excelled – sinking them at an impressive rate of 81 percent which is significantly higher than Alabama State's free throw completion rate at just over two-thirds success rate.
Rebounding saw both teams fight hard under both baskets but here too South Florida had better control with twenty-eight personal rebounds while limiting themselves to fewer personal fouls than their opponents who committed twenty-one fouls during playtime.
Looking ahead for fans of The Bulls: your team will be hosting Temple Owls at Yuengling Center on January 4th at seven o'clock PM Eastern Time. This upcoming game will be available for viewing on ESPN+ for those who wish to follow along live from Tampa or anywhere else online.