Tampa, FL -- (Sports Network) - Jesus Verdejo scored 18 points to lead the South Florida Bulls to a 60-46 win over the SMU Mustangs in a non-conference battle at the Sun Dome.

Dominique Jones added 13 points and six assists for South Florida (1-0), while Mobolaji Ajayi paced the team with 11 rebounds in the win.

Derek Williams netted 13 points for SMU (0-1), while Paul McCoy chipped in 10 points in the setback.

The Bulls used tremendous defensively play in the first half, holding the Mustangs to a putrid 27.3 percent shooting effort from the floor. The strong showing gave South Florida a 32-23 edge going into the intermission.

Despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in the second stanza, the Bulls were able to hold on for the 14-point victory.

South Florida dominated play in the paint, outscoring SMU, 24-10.