The USF Bulls finished the regular season winning two out of three games and took that momentum with them into the Big East Tournament - until the final seconds of the second half.

In an ugly finish to their time in the Big East the Bulls lost 46-42 in overtime to Seton Hall Tuesday night.  In a game where an eight-point lead seemed like twice that USF still managed to squander said advantage. It was 37-29 Bulls with less than three minutes to play but they could not get the putaway score.

Zach LeDay did his part with 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds but the Bulls as a team shot less than 25 per cent. Victor Rudd scored 11 points, more than six points shy of the 17.4 ppg he had been averaging over the past seven contests.

 

 
Photo: USF Athletic Dept.

USF Athletic Dept. Press Release - USF travels up the East Coast to the hardwood of historic Madison Square Garden in style. The team will debut their custom Under Armour So-Flo uniforms in NYC Tuesday night when they take on Seton Hall. 

Here are the details:

• The uniform was inspired by a retro-chic style featuring Under Armour's take on the surfer stripe as well as the modern, horizontal graphics from their home arena. 
• The colors showcase the South Beach environment including the South Florida sunset. 
• The unique striping on the uniform was accomplished through Under Armour's way of sublimating fabrics without adding any weight, called Armourfuse. 
• Custom UA Spine Bionic and UA Spine Bionic Low footwear give the Bulls a head-to-toe So-Flo style.
• The team will wear the green version of uniform Tuesday.

Most college basketball teams this time of year are looking to get that one victory that will make the right impression on the NCAA tournament commitee. The USF women fell just short of that Sunday, but might have been impressive enough in defeat to merit a spot in the field.

The Bulls pushed No. 2 Notre Dame in the Big East quarterfinals before losing 76-66 in Hartford.

USF held Notre Dame star Skylar Diggins to a 5-of-21 day from the floor but could not contain Natalie Achonwa, who had 20 points and 20 rebounds. She became the first 20-20 performer in the Big East tourney since Rebecca Lobo in 1993.

After trailing by six at halftime USF came out sizzling and took a 51-47 lead. Notre Dame responded with the next eight points.

Andrell Smith poured in 27 points for the Bulls while sister Andrea had 18. USF is 21-10 and appears to have what it will take to receive an NCAA at-large invitation. The field will be announced next Monday.

USF has made the tournament once in its history.

Click HERE for a full recap courtesy USF's website.

Saturday's come-from-behind victory against Rutgers was considered necessary for USF's at-large hopes. Rutgers led 14-3 at one point but the Bulls won 42-39.

TAMPA, FL (USF ATHLETIC DEPT) – The University of South Florida has named Telly Lockette running backs coach, Willie Taggart announced on Thursday. Lockette comes to USF after producing one of the most successful runs in Miami-Dade prep football history as head coach at Miami Central High School, where he was head coach for five seasons.

While at Central, Lockette produced a 60-10 record on the field (47-23 according to the FHSAA) and led the Rockets to three consecutive 6A state championship games. He was the first coach to take a Miami-Dade team to three consecutive title-game appearances and produced state titles in 2010 and ’12. In addition, Central didn’t lose to a team from Dade or Broward counties from the 2009 state semifinals up until his departure to USF.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at Central, Lockette served as offensive coordinator for four seasons at his alma mater Northwestern High School in Miami. He was a star running back at Northwestern and went on to become a Division I-AA All-American at linebacker, while at Idaho State.