Colleges

Against all odds, Bulls curtail skid

SOUTH ORANGE , N.J. - Shantia Grace, hobbled by an injured right ankle, scored 27, and Jazmine Sepulveda had 16 points and seven rebounds as short-handed USF snapped a five-game losing streak with a 75-67 win over Seton Hall on Saturday.

Jessica Lawson added 12 points for the Bulls (11-7, 1-4 Big East), who handed the Pirates (12-4, 2-2) their first home loss this season despite missing three players to injury, including leading rebounder Brittany Denson and key reserve Gianna Messina. USF had eight players available, and Grace played all 40 minutes despite spraining her ankle Tuesday against Providence.

"We played eight kids today, and to beat a team that has not lost at home all year and were 12-3 coming in, this is a good win for us," coach Jose Fernandez said.

Things started ominously when the Bulls were driven to the Prudential Center in Newark instead of Walsh Gymnasium on Seton Hall's campus, where the game was actually being played.

USF trailed by as much as 12 in the first half, but a 15-3 run gave it a 38-35 halftime lead. The teams traded leads five times early in the second half before the Bulls went up for good 55-54 on Grace's 10-footer with 12 minutes left.

USF 75

Seton Hall 67

[Last modified January 19, 2008, 20:24:01]