USC’s Rally Falls Short Against South Florida : College basketball: The Trojans’ six-game win streak ends. They come back from halftime deficit but are unable to catch Bulls, 64-61.

For USC, it was a case of too little too late.

After falling behind early Tuesday night against South Florida, the Trojans made several runs but were unable to catch the Bulls, losing, 64-61, and ending their six-game winning streak.

Guard Chucky Atkins made four free throws in the final 1:21, including two in the last 11 seconds, to seal the victory for South Florida (7-2).

South Florida was ahead, 34-22, at halftime and led by 14 points late in the second half. But USC cut the margin to 45-39 before Atkins made a three-pointer and a short runner to bump the lead back to 11 with 9:52 left.

But a 13-3 run, fueled by two three-pointers by Brandon Martin, put USC back in the game. South Florida responded with a 7-0 run, but the Trojans pulled to within 62-60 on a Stais Boseman layup with 59.3 seconds to play.

USC had a chance to tie the score with 12.3 seconds left, but Lorenzo Orr only made one of two free throws to make it 62-61.

Atkins followed with his final two free throws, and a late Trojan three-pointer fell short.

Atkins finished with 21 points. Jerome Robinson added 11 points and David Delancy 10 for the Bulls.

Mark Boyd led USC with 17 points. Martin added 16.

The Trojans (6-2) play Missouri Kansas City on Friday night in their final nonconference game, before opening Pacific 10 Conference play against Oregon State on Jan. 6 at the Sports Arena.