TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — In a pivotal American Athletic Conference clash that tightened the league standings, the South Florida Bulls used a dominant performance in the paint and a decisive advantage at the free-throw line to hold off the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 80-74 on Sunday at the Sun Dome.

A crowd of 4,030 watched South Florida avenge a January loss to Tulsa, using a 16-2 run early in the first half to establish a lead it would never fully relinquish. The victory improved the Bulls to 16-8 overall, while the Golden Hurricane, which entered the game on an eight-game winning streak, fell to 20-4.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the opening minutes. After a sloppy start from both sides, South Florida seized control with relentless defensive pressure and transition offense. The Bulls forced four Tulsa turnovers in the first three and a half minutes, converting them into easy baskets. The run was capped by a Wes Enis-assisted dunk from Izaiyah Nelson, giving South Florida a 16-4 lead and forcing an early Tulsa timeout at the 18:26 mark of the first half.

Tulsa, which lives by the three-point shot, struggled to find its rhythm against South Florida’s length early. The Golden Hurricane clawed back behind the shooting of Ade Popoola, who hit five three-pointers in the first half, to close the gap to 39-35 at halftime.

The second half became a tense battle of contrasting styles. Tulsa continued to fire from deep, finishing 15 of 38 from three-point range. South Florida, however, consistently attacked the rim, drawing fouls and capitalizing at the charity stripe. The Bulls attempted 30 free throws, making 23, while Tulsa went just 11 of 18 from the line. That 12-point disparity proved to be the final margin.

Every time Tulsa threatened to take the lead in the second half, South Florida had an answer, often from Nelson. The 6-foot-10 forward from Marietta, Georgia, was the game’s most impactful player, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His interior presence, combined with three blocks from teammate Daimion Collins, altered countless Tulsa shots and limited the Golden Hurricane to 39% shooting from the field.

Popoola led all Tulsa scorers with 24 points, including six three-pointers, and added eight rebounds. David Green contributed 16 points for the Golden Hurricane, and Miles Barnstable added 13. But Tulsa’s offense, which entered the game averaging over 80 points, was hampered by a season-low three assists and 12 turnovers, which South Florida converted into 15 points.

Enis provided crucial support for South Florida with 20 points and six assists, while CJ Brown orchestrated the offense with eight assists and 14 points. Joseph Pinion chipped in 11 points off the bench for the Bulls.

South Florida’s offensive efficiency, measured at 110.7 points per 100 possessions, outpaced Tulsa’s 102.0, as the Bulls committed only seven turnovers and outscored Tulsa 34-18 in the paint.

The win solidifies South Florida’s position in the upper tier of the AAC, while Tulsa will look to rebound and protect its strong postseason resume. Both teams face quick turnarounds, with South Florida traveling to face Wichita State and Tulsa hosting UAB on Wednesday.

The game’s tempo and physical play reflected its importance in the conference race, with South Florida ultimately leveraging its interior strength and composure at the free-throw line to secure a hard-fought victory.