GREENVILLE — South Florida jumped in front, 11-0, and never trailed in a 71-60 American Athletic Conference win at East Carolina on Wednesday night.
The Bulls made 10 of 25 from beyond the arc (40 percent) in improving to 14-5 overall and 7-1 in league play.
“That’s a really good South Florida team,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network. “There’s a reason they’re 7-1. … They hit the 3-point shot and we didn’t guard it well.”
After ECU had pulled within 22-20, USF went on a 13-0 run to expand the margin to 35-20. The visitors led, 40-28, at halftime.
The Pirates (11-11, 4-5 AAC) got within 50-45 with 10:35 remaining on a 3-point play by Ezra Ausar, but that prompted a 12-0 spree by the Bulls.
USF was paced by 20 points and six assists from Chris Youngblood, who made four of seven of his 3-point tries.
Kasean Pryor and Selton Miguel added 14 points each in the win.
ECU was led by Cam Hayes with 14 points although he was 0-for-6 on threes. R.J. Felton had 13 points and five rebounds.
Ausar and Bobby Pettiford Jr. each had seven points for the Pirates. Pettiford had four assists. Brandon Johnson had six points and six rebounds.
ECU visits Charlotte (13-7, 7-1) on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tipoff (ESPNU).
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