TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The South Florida Bulls used a commanding first-half performance and a significant advantage at the free-throw line to hand the Utah State Aggies their first loss of the season, 74-61, in a nonconference men’s basketball game Thursday night at the Sun Dome.

A crowd of 4,131 watched the Bulls improve to 5-4 overall by building a 21-point halftime lead and then weathering a more competitive second half from the Aggies, who fell to 7-1.

South Florida’s Joseph Pinion led all scorers with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, to pace a balanced offensive effort. The Bulls’ victory was forged early, as they shot efficiently from the field and capitalized on Utah State’s cold start to take a 41-20 lead into the break.

Utah State, which entered the game averaging over 85 points per contest, was held to just 20 points in the opening half on 7-of-31 shooting. The Aggies’ backcourt duo of Mason Falslev and MJ Collins, who each finished with 19 points, combined for only 10 points before halftime. The Bulls, conversely, shot 50% from the field in the first half and connected on 5 of 11 from beyond the arc to build their substantial cushion.

“The first half was our undoing,“ could be a summation of the Utah State performance, as the team struggled to find any rhythm against South Florida’s defensive pressure. The Aggies turned the ball over 13 times, leading to 16 Bulls possessions, and managed an offensive rating of just 82.3 for the game, a stark contrast to their season-long efficiency.

South Florida’s interior presence was a major factor. Izaiyah Nelson, a 6-foot-10 forward from Marietta, Georgia, anchored the defense with two blocks and 11 points, while also grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. His teammate, Daimion Collins, added two more blocks in 15 minutes off the bench. Their ability to protect the rim contributed to Utah State’s 22-of-62 shooting performance overall.

The Aggies showed more life after halftime, outscoring South Florida 41-33 in the second half. A 3-pointer from Adlan Elamin, who had six points and two blocks, cut the Bulls’ lead to 47-38 with just over 16 minutes remaining, prompting a South Florida timeout. The Aggies’ defensive intensity increased, forcing 10 second-half turnovers.

Collins and Falslev began to find their scoring touch, but every Utah State push was met with an answer. When the Aggies drew within nine, South Florida’s CJ Brown, who finished with 10 points and five assists, found Pinion for a critical 3-pointer to stem the tide. Later, with the lead at 60-50, Pinion assisted on an alley-oop dunk by Daimion Collins to restore a 12-point advantage.

South Florida’s ability to draw fouls and convert at the line proved to be the ultimate difference. The Bulls attempted 32 free throws, making 24, while Utah State went just 10 of 15 from the charity stripe. The 14-point margin at the line nearly matched the final point differential.

Beyond Pinion and Nelson, South Florida received key contributions across the roster. Adriel Nyorha of Ottawa, Canada, provided a spark off the bench with seven points, while Josh Omojafo added 10. The Bulls shared the ball effectively, tallying 16 assists on 21 made field goals.

For Utah State, Falslev’s 19 points came with two assists, and Collins added his 19 on a night where the team’s usual offensive flow was disrupted. Elijah Perryman contributed five assists off the bench. The Aggies won the battle on the glass, securing eight offensive rebounds to South Florida’s seven, and both teams finished with eight steals, but the Aggies’ shooting struggles from deep—7 of 24—and their first-half deficit were too much to overcome.

The loss ends Utah State’s season-opening seven-game win streak, which included victories over VCU, Tulane, and an overtime win against Montana State. The Aggies will look to rebound quickly as they travel to face Charlotte on Sunday.

South Florida, which had alternated wins and losses over its past five games, secured a solid home victory ahead of a week off before hosting the College of Charleston next Wednesday. The Bulls’ schedule then stiffens with a road trip to Alabama on Dec. 17.

According to advanced metrics, the game was a tale of offensive efficiency. South Florida scored 74 points on just 71 possessions, an offensive rating of 103.9. Utah State, managing only 61 points on 74 trips, posted an offensive rating of 82.3, highlighting the Aggies’ uncharacteristic struggles to convert opportunities into points. The final combined score of 135 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 162, reflecting the defensive grind, particularly in the first half.