TAMPA, Fla. — In an exciting opening match for the American Athletic Conference on Tuesday, Kobe Knox emerged as a key player for South Florida, contributing 18 points off the bench to help secure a victory over East Carolina, finishing at 75-69.

Knox showcased an impressive performance, making 7 of 8 shots, including an excellent 3 for 3 from beyond the arc, but struggled a bit at the charity stripe, going 1 for 3. The Bulls, now at an overall record of 8-6, also saw Jayden Reid score 11 points, although his shooting struggled as he only connected on 1 of 9 shots during the game (1 for 4 from three-point territory). However, Reid was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all 8 attempts, and he added five rebounds and four steals to his contribution. Quincy Adekokoya matched Reid’s scoring with 11 points, making 3 of 7 attempts while connecting on 2 of 5 from three-point range and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line.

On the other end of the court, Joran Riley led the East Carolina Pirates (also sitting at 8-6) with a strong performance, racking up 20 points, alongside seven rebounds and two steals. C.J. Walker contributed significantly as well, scoring 16 points and pulling down seven rebounds. RJ Felton added to the effort with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.

South Florida managed to take control of the game early, heading into halftime with a 34-25 advantage. De’Ante Green proved vital during the first period, scoring 10 points. In the second half, South Florida extended their lead dramatically by executing a 13-2 run, which propelled them to a 20-point edge at 52-32 with just over 14 minutes left in the game.

This match demonstrated both teams’ competitive spirit, showcasing talent and determination as they embarked on their conference journey. South Florida’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain discipline at pivotal moments proved essential in their triumph over the Pirates.