Nov. 19, 2000

Box Score

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Tony Brown scored 21 points, including six 3-pointers, as Utah State fought off a series of South Florida rallies for a 69-66 win Saturday in the semifinals of the Top of the World Classic.

The Aggies led for most of the game, but B.B. Waldon's turnaround jumper put the Bulls ahead 65-63 with 4 minutes to play. Utah State (2-0) responded quickly with a basket from Dimitri Jorssen and a driving lay-up by Bernard Rock for a 67-65 lead with less than a minute left.

"It was not dull," said Utah State coach Stew Morrill.

The Aggies had fought off several South Florida rallies earlier in the game.

Brown sank back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Aggies a 45-34 lead with 18:17 to play. But South Florida (1-1) responded with a 3-pointer from Reggie Kohn, a basket by Chonsey Asbury and a tip-in by Waldon to pull within 4.

Then Brown sank another 3-pointer and Rock drove the lane and scored on a finger-roll to put Utah State up by nine again.

In the first half, Utah State took a nine-point lead with 6:28 left after Thomas Vincent converted a four-point play and another basket.

South Florida rallied to within three, 33-30, after a slam-dunk from Altron Jackson, who led South Florida with 18 points. But Shawn Daniels responded with another dunk for Utah State and two free-throws to give the Aggies a 37-30 lead at halftime.

Utah State advances to face Austin Peay in Sunday's final, while South Florida takes on Colorado in the third-place game.

By PAUL QUEARY
Associated Press Writer