Defense does job for South Florida

DAYTON, Ohio -- Ugly, ugly, ugly. Just the way South Florida likes it.

The Bulls introduced the Big East Conference's nastiest defense to the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, allowing only 13 points in the first half of a 65-54 victory over California in an opening-round game of the Midwest region.

No. 12 seed South Florida (21-13) will play fifth-seeded Temple in the second round Friday at Nashville, Tenn., in a matchup of teams known for playing gritty defense.

"We get mad when people score, no matter what kind of bucket it is," said Victor Rudd, a one-time Findlay Prep player who had 15 points. "And that's what makes us have people scoring in the 50s, 40s. We don't like it when people score at all, not even on a free throw."

California (24-10) didn't score over the last 8:55 of the first half, missing 10 shots and turning it over twice while South Florida pulled ahead, 36-13.

Guard Jorge Gutierrez, the Pac-12 Player of the Year from Findlay Prep, was held to 10 points. The Golden Bears managed five field goals in the first half, when three of their points came off free throws.

"I didn't imagine that happening," Cal coach Mike Montgomery said. "We dug ourselves a huge hole in the first half, and that's probably as bad as I've seen us play. We weren't doing much of anything."

It wasn't all defense that got it done for South Florida. Freshman point guard Anthony Collins, a thinly built player with a youthful face that reminds coach Stan Heath of a 12-year-old, scored 12 points.

The Golden Bears readily acknowledged that they hadn't played anything quite like South Florida's defense. With four players averaging in double figures, Cal's best chance was to spread the ball around and be patient.

The Bears ran out of patience real fast, prompting Montgomery to call a timeout to get his team settled down. Instead, things quickly got worse.

Gutierrez hit a fadeaway 15-foot jumper with 8:55 left in the first half. The Golden Bears didn't score again before halftime, with South Florida pulling off a 14-0 run. It ended with a telling moment: Cal guard Justin Cobbs dribbling toward the basket and failing to even attempt a shot before the buzzer.

The Golden Bears shuffled toward the locker room with blank expressions. Their 13 points matched the seventh-fewest in an opening half since the NCAA Tournament expanded in 1985.

■ Vermont 71, Lamar 59 -- Four McGlynn came off the bench to score 18 points, and the Catamounts (24-11) beat the Cardinals in a Midwest Region opening-round game.

Matt Glass added 11 points, Sandro Carissimo 10 and Brian Voelkel had 12 rebounds to help Vermont earn a spot against top-seeded North Carolina on Friday in Greensboro, N.C.

Devon Lamb and Mike James each had 16 points for Lamar (23-12), which had won six in a row since first-year coach Pat Knight ripped his seniors after a loss in late February.