TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tulio Da Silva scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and South Florida survived a furious second half comeback attempt to take down Kennesaw State 71-69 on Monday night.

South Florida used a 22-6 run midway through the first half, capped by a Da Silva dunk and a Luis Santos layup, to build a 48-27 lead at the half. But the Owls stormed back, trimming the deficit to 10 on a Johannes Nielson layup with 16:40 to go and to just one (63-62) after two Nielson free throws with 2:19 to play.

Two Geno Thorpe free throws gave the Bulls (3-2) a 70-66 lead. However Kennesaw State would still have a final opportunity to win on its last possession, but Kyle Clarke missed a 3 at the buzzer.

Troy Holston added 13 points for South Florida.

Nick Masterson led the Owls (2-5) with 20 points.

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