As USF pulled out a victory at home, the American Athletic Conference honored former Bulls coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away last year. 

USF came away with a 100-91 overtime thriller against Temple on Thursday night, marking the Bulls’ fifth American Athletic Conference victory. 

Interim head coach Ben Fletcher said USF’s win was important for the team.

“I always wanted to have [Abdur-Rahim’s] back,” Fletcher said, “I almost got choked up before practice.” 

Abdur-Rahim died in October due to complications during a medical procedure.

It was during a break in the first half when Bulls fans made themselves heard for their former coach.

The AAC used the time to honor Amir Abdur-Rahim as Honorary Coach of the Year. The conference also announced the beginning of a new sportsmanship award in Abdur-Rahim’s name.

USF’s student section erupted, chanting “AAR.”

“We want to do something permanent,” conference commissioner Tim Pernetti said. “It needed to be something that lasted forever.”

Related: American Athletic Conference to Honor Amir Abdur-Rahim 

Still, Pernetti said the decision to honor the late coach had to include Abdur-Rahim’s family. 

“We wanted to make sure this was something that was okay with his family,” Pernetti said.

Abdur-Rahim’s family was in attendance cheering on USF.

After the break to honor Abdur-Rahim, the Bulls went on an 11-6 run to close out the first half. USF went into half time leading 44-39. 

Still, through the first half the Bulls made their presence known from beyond the arc, hitting six three-pointers.

Three of them came from graduate guard Quincy Ademokoya. Ademokoya finished the game with 11 points.

Senior forward Corey Walker Jr. made his return, quickly getting his first points since his last game against Utah State on Dec. 14. Walker was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team,” according to Fletcher. 

“He checked every box that I asked him to check,” Fletcher said. “I’m super proud of him.”

The Bulls got in early foul trouble though, racking up 10 fouls in the first half. 

Despite the fouls, the Bulls held onto their lead, going into halftime with a 44-39 advantage. 

USF opened up the second half with a three-pointer by junior guard Kobe Knox. 

From there, USF did not let up. A strong performance by senior forward Jamille Reynolds led the Bulls throughout the half.

Reynolds scored 14 points in the second half, bringing his total to a career high 25 points. 

“Jamille did what we know he can do,” Fletcher said. “He’s got his rhythm back.” 

The Bulls’ win was a team effort though, four Bulls finished with more than 10 points.

Ademokoya, Reynolds, Knox and graduate guard Brandon Stroud all finished the game in double digits. 

With only 4:48 left in the game, the Bulls lead was cut down to just one. Temple’s 9-2 run came as the Bulls would turn the ball over four times in a three minute span. 

Related: USF men’s basketball stumbles in conference play

As the game crossed the one minute mark, a missed Kobe Knox layup allowed for a Temple dunk that tied the game up at 79. 

Temple shot a three while time expired but Reynolds forced the missed shot and took USF to overtime.

A back and forth overtime would see both teams tied 87-87 going into double overtime.

In the second overtime, a Reid three-pointer and two Kobe Knox dunks would put USF up 94-87. 

A Reynolds block sealed the deal and the Bulls hung on, marking their 12th win on the season.

The Bulls return home at 2 p.m. Sunday to take on Wichita. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Bulls Unlimited Radio.