USF (1-1) trailed at halftime for the second time in two games but, this time, couldn't overcome the hole it dug for itself and Rhode Island (1-2) cruised to an 84-68 win Saturday in the Air Force Reserves Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The Bulls had four players in double-figures led by David Collins' game high 16 points. Freshman Caleb Murphy scored a career high 15 points while Michael Durr and Alexis Yetna each had ten.
Collins had a team high four assists and Durr snagged a team high seven rebounds.
URI point guard Fatts Russell scored 15 points -- 11 in the second half -- Jalen Carey had 12 points while Makhel Mitchell and Jeremy Sheppard each had 11.
BullsInsider.com covered the game and here is our Instant Analysis:
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Rhode Island came out of the under eight media timeout and outscored USF 7-3 to extend its lead to 67-53. Brian Gregory called timeout but it was all over but the crying.
HE STOLE THE SHOW: I'm giving this to Jalen Carey because of how efficiently he played tonight. Carey scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, made both of his free throws, grabbed five rebounds, had a block, a steal and just one turnover in 20 minutes of playing time.
THE STAT DOESN’T LIE: Rhode Island had xx fast break points. In our game preview we said that URI likes to play fast and the Bulls must play very good transition defense. That did not happen tonight.
THE BOTTOM LINE: With the exception of a brief stretch when the Bulls outscored URI 9-4 to cut an 11 point deficit to six USF did not play well in the first half and dug themselves a 16-point hole at halftime. That was too deep to overcome against Rhode Island. USF will try to bounce back Sunday night against Virginia Tech in Mohegan Sun Arena.
