Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Dominique Jones scored 37 points and Chris Howard added 13, leading South Florida to a 70-61 victory over 17th-ranked Pittsburgh at the USF Sun Dome.
USF Beats No. 17 Pitt For Third Straight Big East Win
Jones made 10-of-20 from the field and drained 14-of-17 free throws for the Bulls (14-7, 4-5 Big East), who have won three straight games. South Florida, which beat both Providence and Seton Hall in overtime for its first-ever Big East win streak, will take another step up in competition with a visit to Georgetown on Wednesday.
Gilbert Brown scored 24 points to lead Pittsburgh (16-5, 6-3), which has lost three of its last four on the heels of an eight-game winning streak. Brad Wanamaker added 14 points in defeat.
South Florida opened an 8-3 lead early and went on to build an 11-point margin at 22-11 on a three-pointer by Jones with 7:40 to play in the first half. Pittsburgh responded with 11 straight points and tied it on a Gary McGhee basket with just over four minutes left.
The Bulls, though, answered with the next seven points and went to the break with a 31-27 lead. Brown’s three in the closing seconds pulled the Panthers within four.
USF stretched its lead to 51-37 midway through the second half, but Pittsburgh didn’t quit and drew within 53-49 with 6 1/2 minutes remaining on a dunk by Wanamaker.
The Bulls, however, never let the Panthers get closer. A jumper by Jones extended the USF advantage to 59-52 with 3:39 to play and Pittsburgh got only as close as five from there.
South Florida committed just five turnovers...Ashton Gibbs scored 11 for the Panthers...South Florida improved to 3-3 all-time against Pittsburgh, but beat the Panthers for the first time in four tries as a Big East member...The Bulls also improved to 4-20 against ranked teams since joining the conference...Pitt will visit West Virginia on Wednesday.
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