USF’s men’s basketball team overcame a sluggish start in the 69-64 win over Rice Tuesday night, which was riddled with continued shortcomings and an injury.

The Bulls, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, found momentum late and relied on key contributions from their backcourt to complete the comeback.

South Florida’s lineup adjustments also added to their challenges. 

The loss of forward De’Ante Green just four minutes into the game with a foot injury left the Bulls without a true center, forcing Quincy Ademokoya and Kasen Jennings into frontcourt roles typically outside their responsibilities. 

“These guys responded in a way, it just tells you a lot about this group,” interim head coach Ben Fletcher said post game.

The absence of Green became even more crucial with forwards Jamille Reynolds sick and Corey Walker Jr. unavailable due to a suspension.

Jennings said the loss of Green motivated the team.

“Just to see him go down, like, it hit us to the core, but it definitely motivated us to play tougher and grind out the win for him,” Jennings said. 

Related: USF’s Corey Walker Jr. suspended from team

The game’s opening period saw USF struggle offensively, hampered by early turnovers and missed opportunities.

Rice capitalized on the Bulls’ slow start, jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead behind the shooting of guards Trae Broadnax and Denver Anglin.

In the first half, the Bulls finished with 12 points in the paint and only four points off fast-breaks.

The game seemed to follow the same script as the rest of the season.

USF, however, looked to grab control of the game by its horns and steer themselves in the right direction at the end of the first half.

The Bulls closed out the period scoring seven unanswered points, including a stepback 3-pointer from Ademokoya. 

The senior guard, playing out of position, stepped up with his first career double-double, giving South Florida much needed points and rebounds that it has not seen this season.

“If we just worry about the group, put everything else aside, and just play naturally, that’s South Florida basketball,” he said after the game.

Related: USF men’s basketball stumbles in conference play

Rice relied on sharp shooting from beyond the arc and consistent ball movement, with Alem Huseinovic and Anglin delivering key three-point daggers late in the half.

Despite their defensive intensity, USF’s inability to capitalize on Rice’s turnovers – along with missed free throws – kept the Owls in control as the clock wound down.

Coming out of the break, the Bulls continued to build on their momentum.

Ademokoya and Jennings combined for multiple swift baskets in the second, allowing USF to erase the deficit and take its first lead.

The Bulls defense fueled their resurgence, forcing turnovers and limiting Rice’s second-chance opportunities. 

They were led by Jennings, who has been struggling this season, and played a crucial role on both ends of the court this game, making timely plays at the glass.

“[My teammates], they all believed in me, so that made it easy for me,” he said.

Despite a late push from Rice that included a three-pointer by Anglin in the final seconds, USF held firm at the free-throw line.

Jennings sank two critical free throws with four seconds remaining to seal the victory, securing the Bulls’ first win after several challenging conference outings.

With this win, South Florida is looking to climb in conference standings at 4-4. 

USF returns to play at FAU 2 p.m. Sunday. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN and on Bulls Unlimited radio.