TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The South Florida Bulls used a dominant first half and a decisive advantage at the free-throw line to pull away from the Memphis Tigers for an 87-66 victory in American Athletic Conference men’s basketball on Thursday night at the Sun Dome.

A crowd of 6,705 watched the Bulls improve to 19-8 overall, while Memphis fell to 12-14. South Florida, which entered as an 8.5-point favorite, led by as many as 23 points in the second half.

The most critical phase of the game was a blistering first-half offensive display by the Bulls, who built a 47-31 halftime lead that Memphis never seriously threatened. South Florida shot only 36.4% from the field in the opening period but compensated by drawing fouls and converting at the line, making 15 of 18 free throws before the break. Memphis, meanwhile, struggled to find any offensive rhythm against South Florida’s active defense, committing eight turnovers and managing just three assists in the half.

Wes Enis led all scorers with 20 points for South Florida, showcasing his ability to draw contact and get to the line, where he went 8-for-8. Izaiyah Nelson was a force inside, finishing with 17 points, four blocks and several key offensive rebounds. Joseph Pinion added 19 points, and CJ Brown orchestrated the offense with eight assists to go with 13 points.

Memphis was led by Curtis Givens with 12 points and five assists, while Julius Thedford also scored 13. The Tigers’ offense was plagued by inefficiency all night, shooting just 32.8% from the field and recording only three assists against 11 turnovers. Their offensive rating of 95.0 paled in comparison to South Florida’s 116.6.

The game’s statistical disparity was starkest at the charity stripe. South Florida attempted 35 free throws, making 30, while Memphis went 15-for-20. The Bulls also won the battle on the glass, securing 18 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points and helped offset their own 36.4% shooting from the field.

South Florida set the tone early. After Memphis center Aaron Bradshaw opened the scoring with two free throws, the Bulls responded with a 9-2 run, capped by a three-pointer from Pinion. Memphis briefly tied the game at 9-9 on a three from Thedford, but South Florida answered with a 13-2 surge over the next four minutes, fueled by free throws from Enis and Pinion, to take a 22-11 lead they would not relinquish.

The Bulls’ lead ballooned to 16 by halftime, and any hope of a Memphis comeback was extinguished early in the second half. South Florida opened the period on a 6-0 run, pushing the margin to 53-31 after a three-pointer from Enis just two minutes in. Memphis never got closer than 18 points the rest of the way.

The victory continues a strong stretch for South Florida, which has won four of its last five games. Memphis has now lost three straight and six of its last seven.

South Florida next travels to face Rice on Wednesday. Memphis returns home to host UAB on Sunday.