Greene, Murphy lead USF to 76-69 win over Hawaii
- Dec. 24, 2021 02:42 AM EST
South Florida forward Jalyn McCreary (4) grabs a rebound over Hawaii forwards Jerome Desrosiers (22) and Kamaka Hepa (44) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida forward Jalyn McCreary (4) grabs a rebound over Hawaii forwards Jerome Desrosiers (22) and Kamaka Hepa (44) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Javon Greene (1) shoots over Hawaii forward Jerome Desrosiers (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida forward DJ Patrick (3) tries to get past Hawaii guard Junior Madut during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida forward Sam Hines Jr. (20) fights to hold on to a rebound between Hawaii forward Zoar Nedd, left, and guard Beon Riley during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Trey Moss (11) shoots over Hawaii guard Junior Madut (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Javon Greene (1) gets past Hawaii guard Junior Madut (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Javon Greene reacts after slipping and possession of the ball during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Hawaii on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii forward Jerome Desrosiers (22) guards South Florida center Russel Tchewa (54) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Caleb Murphy (23) is defended by Hawaii guard Junior Madut (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
South Florida guard Caleb Murphy (23) is defended by Hawaii forward Jerome Desrosiers and guard JoVon McClanahan (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
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HONOLULU (AP) — Javon Greene scored 18 points, making 7 of 9 at the foul line and USF fended off host Hawaii 76-69 at the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday night

The Bulls (5-6) play Wyoming on Christmas Day while Hawaii (4-5) takes on Northern Iowa.

Tied at 51-51, back-to-back dunks by Corey Walker and Jalyn McCreary on either end of a Walker steal had USF up 55-51 with 6:14 remaining. Walker fouled out in the final half minute with six points and had four of USF's nine steals in a two-minute span to help spark the Bulls back into the lead.

Caleb Murphy scored 17 points with six assists for USF.

Noel Coleman led Hawaii with 22 points, Kamaka Hepa scored 16 and Junior Madut added 11.

Hepa capped an 8-0 Hawaii run to put the Rainbow Warriors into the lead, 49-48, for the first time in 20 minutes. The Rainbow Warriors made up a 13-point gap in the second half.

Walker's dunk with 6:34 remaining put USF back in front, where the Bulls stayed the rest of the way.

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