Tulane holds off South Florida, 62-59

TAMPA, Fla. – Sophomore guard Jaylen Forbes scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Tulane University men’s basketball team (9-8; 4-8 AAC) to a 62-59 road win over the University of South Florida Sunday afternoon.

With the win, Tulane picked up its third road win in league play and its fifth win in its last six tries at USF.

“We are just getting better,” head coach Ron Hunter said. “This is the thing we talk about in building this program, we have to be able to fight through these tough times. Our defense is there and we made some timely baskets which we had not done.”

Forbes scored in double figures for the 15th time this season, as he connected on 5-of-8 shots from the floor. Joining Forbes in double figures was fellow sophomore Kevin Cross, as he closed with 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half.

“I felt like I got comfortable and I kind of found my spots in the second half more than I did in the first half,” Cross said. “I think my defense helped my offense today.”

Tulane’s underclassmen combined to score 45 of the Green Wave’s 62 points.

“Those guys are growing up,” Hunter said. “We’ve had so much happen, but the light switch went on for our young guys.”

One of the biggest baskets of the afternoon came from freshman Sion James, as he connected on a 3-pointer from the corner to make the score 56-51 with 51 seconds remaining.

James’ 3-pointer was his only field goal from long range and was one of just four field goals for the Green Wave in the final eight minutes of the game.

Tulane’s strong defensive effort was the key for the Green Wave as they held USF below its season scoring average and limited Bulls’ leading scorer David Collins to just 10 points. In addition, Tulane forced USF into 18 turnovers.

The Green Wave have now forced their opponents into at least 15 mishaps on nine occasions this year. Tulane has also won the turnover battle in 14 of its last 17 contents. Tulane scored 24 points off of USF miscues.

USF which was playing in just its second game since Jan. 9 were also outshot by the Green Wave (42.0-41.0 percent). Tulane which entered the game as the AAC leader in free-throw percentage (.788) shot an uncharacteristic 63 percent from the free throw line.

“We are just going to keep grinding and celebrate this win for 24 hours before we get ready for the next one,” Hunter said. “The road trip is not over yet.”

Up next, Tulane plays its fourth straight road game, as it heads to SMU on Wednesday, February 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) at Moody Coliseum and the game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.