PROVIDENCE – Stan Heath doesn’t know how his team did it. But he’s sure glad they pulled it off.
“I’ve got to watch the tape myself to figure out how we got the game into overtime, but we did, and once we got a second chance, we did a great job of taking advantage of it,” South Florida’s head coach said after his team’s 109-105 win at Providence.
The final stretch couldn’t have started and ended more differently. With 49 seconds left, the Bulls were down by nine after a layup by Providence guard Vincent Council. A three-pointer by Chris Howard brought the lead down to six. Council made one of two free throws, then a dunk by Jarrid Famous brought it down to five. Council missed two more free throws, then a layup by Dominique Jones made it a one-possession game.
After Sharaud Curry made two free throws, Jones made a short jumper just five seconds later to get it back to three. Curry then turned it over shortly after he got the inbound pass, and Jones found Toarlyn Fitzpatrick for a three-pointer from the left wing that swished home with one second left to tie the game.
Keep in mind, the Bulls are hardly a Big East juggernaut. They have struggled since they first joined the conference, came into the game 2-35 all-time in Big East road games and were 1-5 overall in the Big East this season. So just winning would have been big, no matter what the fashion.
“Our road history hasn’t been very good, and this may be the biggest road win our program has had in a Big East game,” Heath said.
Once overtime started, the Bulls took over. Certainly, the psychological aspect of blowing a lead was a major disadvantage for Providence, and the Bulls took advantage as they never trailed in the extra session.
Although the Bulls have struggled in the Big East, this isn’t a team lacking in talent, although depth is questionable. Jones, who scored 46 points on Saturday, has been on a tear ever since he scored just five points in the conference-opening loss at Louisville. Howard is passable at the point and Georgia transfer Mike Mercer can score, while Famous has some upside and Fitzpatrick has a chance to be very good as he grows up. Ohio State transfer Anthony Crater has talent but hasn’t found his footing yet.
Heath said Fitzpatrick, whose game-tying three-pointer capped a 12-point, eight-rebound outing where he made all four shots from the floor, has made steady progress. Fitzpatrick was fourth on the depth chart among post players when practice started, but moved into the starting lineup when Augustus Gilchrist went out with a severe ankle sprain. He won’t be moving out of there anytime soon.
“His confidence is really growing,” Heath said. “He’s really maturing.”
Speaking of Gilchrist, the Bulls could get him back soon. He has missed the last 11 games and is almost certain to miss Thursday night’s game against Seton Hall. Heath said Gilchrist is walking, and next Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh is a possibility. If he doesn’t return then, the February 3 game at Georgetown is one Heath is confident he will be ready for.
“Within two or three games, I think we’ll see him,” Heath said.
If he comes back and is the player he was before the injury, the Bulls suddenly become a dangerous team. This won’t make them a contender, but they could play spoiler late in the season if they come together the way they appear capable of. Right now, they only go six deep, but being able to bring another good player off the bench will also help the team’s depth.
Saturday night’s win could be the first boost for this team. Heath won’t figure out right away how his team did it, but he’s more than happy with it. Once they get Gilchrist back, future wins might be easier to figure out.
