USF Gains 15th Consecutive Victory with 85-72 Win over Tulane – Sky Bulletin

In an exciting Tuesday night game, Chris Youngblood led No. 24 South Florida to victory with 29 points and five assists, as they outplayed Tulane with a score of 85-72, marking their 15th consecutive win.

The Bulls (23-5, 16-1 American Athletic Conference), who have already clinched the regular-season title, enjoyed their first game at home as a ranked team, a first in the program’s 50-year history. In addition to Youngblood’s performance, Kasean Pryor contributed 13 points while Selton Miguel put up 12 points for USF.

Tulane (13-16, 4-13), on the other hand, faced their seventh consecutive loss, with Jaylen Forbes scoring 24 points. 2019-20 was the last time Tulane experienced a losing streak this long, with an eight-game slide.

USF extended their lead after Forbes picked up his fourth foul late in the game, resulting in a score jump from 69-67 to 78-67 in favor of South Florida. The first half was contentious with 13 lead changes, but USF entered the break ahead with a score of 44-43, thanks to Youngblood’s 12 points.

Season Highlights

Tulane: Despite being among the top-scoring teams nationally, they’ve struggled defensively this season.

South Florida: With sights set on their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012, the Bulls celebrate their first regular-season conference championship and only their second winning season since 2012. USF looks to make its fourth-ever tournament appearance.

Notable Moments

Forbes and Miguel’s collision early in the game resulted in both players being sidelined temporarily but they were able to return shortly after.

Looking Ahead

Tulane: Their season concludes with a Friday night game at home against Wichita State.

South Florida: The Bulls will finish their regular season with a trip to Tulsa on Saturday night.

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What is the significance of this win for USF?

This victory extends USF’s winning streak to 15 games and solidifies their position as regular-season champions in the American Athletic Conference, while maintaining their national ranking.

Has South Florida been ranked in the Top 25 before?

Yes, but this game marked only the second time in the program’s history that USF has played as a ranked team in the Top 25.

What are Tulane’s current standings?

Tulane is now on a seven-game losing streak, which is their longest since a similar stretch in the 2019-20 season.

What is next for both teams?

Tulane is set to play their final game of the season against Wichita State at home, while South Florida will close their regular season with an away game at Tulsa.

The game was not only a testament to South Florida’s robust basketball program but also showcased the potential for a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As Tulane looks to rebuild after their loss, USF carries momentum going into the final stretch of the regular season. Basketball enthusiasts and the college sports community will certainly have their eyes on South Florida as they proceed to the NCAA Tournament with high expectations.