TAMPA -Sophomore guard Dominique Jones scored a career-high 36 points to lead the University of South Florida to a 68-55 win over Iona on Saturday night at the USF Sun Dome.

Jones shot 12-for-16 from the field, including 7-for-9 from 3-point range. Jesus Verdejo added 14 points for the Bulls (5-7), who snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.

The Gaels (5-8) were led by Devon Clarke, who finished with 16 points and five rebounds. Trinity Fields chipped in with 13 points.

The Gaels led by one point with 1:24 remaining in the first half, but Jones scored the next eight points to put the Bulls up by seven with 5 seconds left before halftime. Iona's Scott Machado hit a buzzer-beater to trim the deficit to 34-29 at the break.

The Bulls quickly fell behind due to a 13-5 Iona run to start the second half, but South Florida responded with a 10-2 run of its own to take a 49-44 lead with 9:19 remaining.

Postgame Notes

● Up Next: The Bulls open BIG EAST play at home vs. the Syracuse Orange on Friday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 p.m.

● Sophomore guard Dominique Jones exploded for a career high 36 points, shooting an efficient 12-16 from the field, 7-9 from 3-point range and 5-6 from the free throw line. The 36 points bested his previous high of 31 done twice previously (12/6/08 at UCF and 2/26/08 vs. Seton Hall). It was his fifth career game with 30 or more points. He also finished with five assists, accounting for at least 46 of USF’s 68 points.

● The 36 point outburst is tied for fifth on the all-time USF single-game scoring list. He is tied with five other players for fifth. The record is 42 by Charlie Bradley vs. Florida State on 12/10/82.

● Jones’ seven 3-point field goals was also a career high, surpassing his previous high of five, done twice.

● Jones started his explosion with 17 first half points, hitting 6-8 field goals, 3-4 3-pointers and 2-2 from the free throw line. He also dished out four assists in the first stanza.

● Senior guard Jesus Verdejo was the only other Bull in double figures with

● Freshman guard Justin Leemow made his first career start vs. Iona.

● Freshman forward Eladio Espinosa made his third start of the year.