A Big East Conference team got a big scare, but in the end South Florida was able to hold off St. Francis (N.Y.) for a 74-71 victory at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla.

South Florida (1-1) led by seven points, 38-31, at halftime, but St. Francis (0-2) chipped away at that lead and had a chance to win the game, but a 3-point attempt fell short as the buzzer sounded.

South Florida was without a dominant scorer, but guard Jawanza Poland supplied 11 points and five assists.

Ricky Cadell led St. Francis with 25 points, three rebounds and three steals.

South Florida will hit the road Thursday for a contest against in-state rival Central Florida before coming back to play two games in the South Padre Invitational against Georgia Southern (Sunday) and Liberty (Nov. 23).

St. Francis opens up its home schedule Sunday in Brooklyn Heights against Howard.