Nelson leads South Florida against UMBC after 25-point game

By Canadian Press on December 21, 2025.

UMBC Retrievers (6-5) at South Florida Bulls (6-5)

Tampa, Florida; Sunday, 3 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: South Florida hosts UMBC after Izaiyah Nelson scored 25 points in South Florida’s 104-93 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Bulls have gone 4-0 at home. South Florida ranks sixth in the AAC with 23.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Nelson averaging 5.4.

The Retrievers have gone 2-3 away from home. UMBC averages 12.4 turnovers per game and is 1-1 when turning the ball over less than opponents.

South Florida averages 9.2 made 3-pointers per game, 3.1 more made shots than the 6.1 per game UMBC allows. UMBC averages 74.1 points per game, 7.7 fewer points than the 81.8 South Florida gives up to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Joseph Pinion is averaging 14.3 points and two steals for the Bulls. Nelson is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games.

DJ Armstrong averages 2.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Retrievers, scoring 11.7 points while shooting 40.8% from beyond the arc. Jah’likai King is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 5-5, averaging 87.7 points, 36.9 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 42.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.3 points per game.

Retrievers: 5-5, averaging 74.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 4.7 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.6 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The Associated Press