Instant Analysis: USF 60 Houston 79

The South Florida men’s basketball team’s (7-7, 0-1 The American) three game winning streak came to an end Thursday night when Houston (11-2, 1-0 The American) pulled used a 12-0 run early in the second half to pull away for a 79-60 victory at the Sun Dome.

Bulls’ freshmen Justin Brown and David Collins had career highs of 16 points and 15 points respectively, and shot a combined 42.8 percent (nine-of-21) from the field, but it was not enough to overcome the potent Cougars’ scoring attack.

RunningTheBulls.com was at the game and here is our Instant Analysis:

IT WAS OVER WHEN: Houston guard Armoni Brooks hit a three-pointer with 10:05 left in the game. That pushed the Cougars lead to 21 points at 65-44. It was the largest lead of the game for Houston at that point.

HE STOLE THE SHOW: Justin Brown got his second career start due to Payton Banks’ illness and he did not disappoint. Brown finished with a game and career high 16 points, he made 4-of-8 three-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds. Brown scored 10 of USF’s 27 second half points.

THE STAT DOESN’T LIE: In our game preview we said that USF could not settle for jump shots. Thursday night Houston won the points in the paint battle by a 30-18 margin.

THE BOTTOM LINE: USF fell behind early and showed some grit fighting back but Houston is a tough, physical team NCAA Tournament bubble team that had too much for USF on this night. Lengthy scoring droughts continue to plague the Bulls. Payton Banks not being able to go hurt, but it was not a difference maker in this game. It does not get any easier for USF as they travel to Dallas to take on SMU in a New Year’s Eve tilt. SMU has won 17-straight against AAC opponents, 13-straight at home.