Banks drives for two of his 23 points./CARMEN MANDATO
Tuesday, 2 a.m.
The USF Bulls fought their way back to .500 Monday night by pulling away from Northern Arizona.
The Bulls, 6-6, got 23 points from Payton Banks in the win. Banks led the Bulls to a strong finish in the first half, and USF cruised to a 70-56 victory.
Helping Banks was Stephan Jiggetts, who had 17 points and eight assists, the high for the Bulls this season.
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Jiggetts drives to the basket for Bulls./CARMEN MANDATO
“I thought our defensive effort was very good today," said USF coach Brian Gregory. "They run a lot of ball screens, hard
Manderson hits a jump shot for USF./CARMEN MANDATO
dribble-drive team, so they’re going to get in the paint some. But any time you hold an opponent to 35 percent from the field and 17 percent from three and outrebound them by six, your guys gave a pretty good effort. Obviously in the first half we were a little choppy offensively, but when you make a couple of baskets like Payton did, it makes things seem a lot better.”
Banks said the difference was not in the games.
“We’ve had really good practices the last two weeks, and I think those practice habits are coming into the game a lot," Banks said. "We’re just playing together, trusting each other a lot more, and trusting that coaches have the best interests for us.”
Isaiah Manderson recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulls finish their non-conference schedule Thursday with a game against Charlotte. Game time is 7 p.m. at the USF Sun Dome.
Martin splits two defenders for basket./CARMEN MANDATO
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