Sophomore guard Jayden Reid’s first career 20-point game helped lift USF men’s basketball to a 74-72 win versus Stetson on Tuesday night.

In front of a home crowd of 3,408 attendees at the Yuengling Center, Reid scored a career-best 23 points, in addition to a career-high four three-pointers against the Hatters.

Related: USF men’s basketball gaining momentum under Ben Fletcher

Reid had an inefficient offensive start to the year, shooting a lowly 23% in his first three games. He has turned that mark around with his recent play, shooting 64% in his last three contests. 

Reid said early in the season he was “forcing the issue,” but has settled down to improve his play. 

“Letting the game come to me, that’s been the difference,” Reid said. “Hitting my teammates when they’re open and taking shots when I’m open, as long as I do that I’m going to impact the game.”

Reid helped the Bulls (5-3) capture an early lead, scoring eight of the team’s first 13 points as they gained a 13-6 advantage almost five minutes into the match.

The Hatters battled back, cutting the deficit to one on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Tristan Gross. USF prevented Stetson from taking the lead with help from a strong showing by junior forward De’Ante Green. 

Green scored eight points off the bench in the first half and grabbed three rebounds. 

Bulls coach Ben Fletcher said Green has elevated his play as the season has progressed.

“I’m proud of him because early on in the season he was lacking confidence,” Fletcher said. “We started the tournament and we get here today, you can see he’s making a jump.”

Green assisted on Reid’s buzzer-beating three to end the first half, giving the Bulls a 35-29 lead going into the break.

USF and Stetson traded baskets to open the second half, but an 18-4 run by South Florida ballooned their lead to 18. During the run, 15 of those points were scored by Bulls reserves. 

Fletcher said the rotation players have to be ready to contribute when they’re called upon.

“It’s great to see these guys buy into the depth of our team,” Fletcher said. “They have to know that any given night, it could be any of us.”

Down double digits, the Hatters didn’t go away quietly.

Stetson responded with a 22-6 run of its own to pull within two points with four seconds remaining. Reid helped seal the game for the Bulls in the closing moments, avoiding defenders and dribbling out the clock to secure the win. 

Next up for USF is a match on the road against undefeated Loyola Chicago on Saturday. Fletcher said the team isn’t aiming for moral victories when they face the Ramblers.

“We still have stuff to clean up and we’ll work at that,” Fletcher said. “But we won’t go up there just to play the game, we’re trying to win.”

The Bulls will face Loyola Chicago at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The game will be broadcast on USA and Bulls Unlimited.