The University of South Florida Bulls men’s basketball team defeats the Florida Atlantic University Owls 89-75 at the Yuengling Center to improve to 13-7 on the season. 

Junior guard Wes Enis explodes in the second half for 16 points after draining a three-pointer at the end of the first half. 

In the first half, the Bulls started with three empty possessions, leading to a sub in for freshman guard Adriel Nyorha. Nyorha gave life to the Bulls’ offense, putting up seven straight points. 

“We kind of knew that the first half wasn’t us. We knew that we can come back out and play much harder than we came out and played in the first half. So, you know, after they told us our mistakes, we went out, corrected that, and just play hard. And I think that’s what led us to getting a W tonight,” senior forward Daimion Collins said. 

Florida Atlantic ranks eighth in the nation in blocks per game at 5.7, and head coach Bryan Hodgson believes the staff put emphasis on the Owls’ shot blocking ability to put the Bulls in a stagnant offense to start the game. 

“I thought we were hesitant at the rim. I thought we got in the paint and we’d see them in there. And so now we’re making bad paint reads. We were just hesitant to actually fully attack the rim. So CJ comes out, he’s not playing great basketball, and we sub a freshman in Adrian Nyorha, and man, he goes in and to the rack, layup, to the rack, layup and made a huge three. Had seven points in the first half and we kind of got a calming presence from our freshman which was awesome,” Hodgson said. 

Senior forward Izaiyah Nelson put up a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Nelson’s four offensive rebounds kept the energy flowing for the offense.

The Bulls head to New Orleans to face Tulane University on Jan. 28 at Delvin Fieldhouse Stadium at 8 pm.