Free Throws Difference as Waves Lose
Chucky Atkins scored 18 points and had eight assists Saturday night as South Florida overcame poor shooting to open its season with a 65-58 victory over Pepperdine.
The Bulls outscored the Waves, 23-4, from the free-throw line and made five of six free throws in the final 43 seconds to hold on in front of 4,607 at the Sun Dome.
Pepperdine pulled within 53-50 on Marques Johnson’s three-point basket with 3:14 remaining. But James Harper and Atkins made four free throws and Luka Jovanovic’s block set up an Atkins layup that increased South Florida’s advantage to 60-52.
Atkins scored seven of the Bulls’ last 10 points and also blocked Johnson’s three-point try with 13 seconds left to seal the victory.
Pepperdine got 18 points from Gerald Brown and 16 from Bryan Hill.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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