USF worked a 16-point deficit all the way down to three late in the second half, but the Bulls couldn’t pull off another incredible comeback in a 68-63 loss to Georgia Southern on Monday night.

“We want teams to fear coming into the Sun Dome because of how hard we’re going to compete every possession. We’re doing it in spurts and that’s not enough,” head coach Orlando Antigua said.

Despite USF’s first loss in five games at the Sun Dome this season, Antigua saw a lot of things the 5-4 Bulls can take away from their first game in nine days.

Sophomore forward Chris Perry (Bartow, Fla.) posted his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds to help the Bulls win the battle on the boards. Freshman guard Dinero Mercurius (Bronx, N.Y.) gave the Bulls a big boost off the bench with a career-high 13 points in 20 minutes. USF also continued to get consistent play from junior guard Nehemias Morillo (Dominican Republic), who extended his double-digit scoring streak to six games with 11 points to go along with seven rebounds.

“There are a lot of positive things we saw in that second half that we’re going to try and continue to build on,” Antigua said. “My challenge to our student-athletes is let’s not keep putting ourselves in that position so that we have to exert so much energy to get back in the game.”

Georgia Southern (5-2) took a 32-28 lead into halftime and had a 46-30 advantage with 16 minutes to play before the Bulls heated up down the stretch. Perry’s layup with 1:52 remaining cut the deficit to 63-60 and USF pulled back within three with a layup by Anthony Collins (Houston) with 22 seconds left.

The Eagles were able to hang on thanks to a pair of free throws and a stop on the defensive end in their first win over the Bulls in five meetings. Jelani Hewitt led the way with a game-high 33 points and made all five of Georgia Southern’s 3-pointers.

The Bulls now turn their attention to a matchup with Seton Hall 7 p.m. Thursday back at the Sun Dome. Purchase tickets HERE.

“We’ll get back to work tomorrow morning individually to get better and we’ll come back in the evening to work and start to prepare for a really good Seton Hall team that’s playing really well right now,” Antigua said.

Article provided by USF Athletic Communications Department