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USF beats UAB in overtime

 
UAB’s Nick Norton, left, pressures USF guard Corey Allen during the first half. The game is close throughout.
UAB’s Nick Norton, left, pressures USF guard Corey Allen during the first half. The game is close throughout.
Published Nov. 22, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cory Allen hit a driving layup with 25 seconds left in regulation and added two free throws with 6.6 seconds left in overtime Thursday night to lead USF to a 73-71 victory over Alabama-Birmingham at Bartow Arena.

Chris Perry added a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls (3-0) before fouling out with three minutes to play in overtime. Point guard Anthony Collins had 16 points — all in the second half —on 6-of-12 shooting, and Troy Holston came off the bench to add 11 in the first half, including 3-of-5 shooting beyond the arc.

USF overcame 24 turnovers, 30 fouls and 47 free-throw attempts by UAB (1-2) by shooting a sizzling 54 percent from the floor (30-of-56), including 80 percent (4-of-5) in overtime.

"We certainly know how to make it exciting, don't we," said USF coach Orlando Antigua. "I am extremely happy with our resilience and how we continued to weather storms and ups and downs in the game. I'm losing my voice and have a major headache, but I'm extremely happy for the growth we showed as a team tonight."

The game was close throughout with neither team leading at any point by more than eight, which USF did twice, both times in the first half. In fact, the score was tied 14 times and the lead changed 16 times between the two former Sun Belt and Conference USA foes.

Despite the fouls — the Bulls had 30 fewer free-throw attempts than the Blazers — USF's aggressive defense wreaked havoc on UAB's offensive flow throughout the night. The Blazers managed only 35.8 percent shooting for the game (19-of-53) and struggled on their 47 free throws, making 28 (59.6 percent).

"Any time you can win on the road is big, especially when you have so many new pieces like we do," Antigua said. "We are really happy we were able to come out with a win."

USF never trailed by more than three. The ability of Collins and Allen to take UAB's guards off the dribble proved to be a big key in the last 25 minutes, and especially in overtime when the Bulls scored their points in the paint and at the free-throw line.

USF heads to Raleigh, N.C., to take on North Carolina State at 4 p.m. Sunday.