TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the South Florida Bulls used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from the Tulsa Golden Hurricane for a 72-60 victory in American Athletic Conference women’s basketball action Wednesday night at the Sun Dome.

A crowd of 2,414 watched as the Bulls, despite committing 18 turnovers and recording only three assists, leaned on superior rebounding and efficient free-throw shooting to improve to 15-10 overall. Tulsa, which entered the game having won four of its last five, fell to 16-8.

The contest was a defensive grind from the outset. Both teams shot below 38% from the field, with Tulsa finishing at 35.6% and South Florida at 37.9%. The Golden Hurricane’s aggressive defense forced those 18 Bulls turnovers, converting them into 20 points, and recorded 11 steals. However, South Florida dominated the glass, particularly on the offensive end where they secured 16 rebounds leading to multiple second-chance opportunities. The Bulls also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 17 of 21 attempts compared to Tulsa’s 11 of 18.

The game remained tight through three quarters. South Florida held a narrow 27-22 lead at halftime, with Tulsa’s cold shooting—9 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second—keeping them at bay. The Golden Hurricane found a rhythm in the third quarter, matching the Bulls with 22 points to stay within four, 49-45, heading into the final period.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the fourth quarter, where South Florida finally created separation. Leading 56-53 with just over eight minutes remaining, the Bulls unleashed a critical 8-0 run. The spurt was fueled by Katie Davidson, who connected on a three-pointer, and Carla Brito, who added a tip-in layup. Stefanie Ingram facilitated the offense during this stretch, finding Davidson for another three that extended the lead to 64-53 with 4:21 left. Tulsa, which had fought to stay close, saw its offense stall against a tightening South Florida defense, managing only seven points over a nearly seven-minute span as the Bulls built an insurmountable advantage.

Davidson, a guard from Indianapolis, led all scorers with 22 points for South Florida. She was instrumental in the fourth-quarter push, hitting key shots from beyond the arc. Forward L’or Mputu of Kinshasa, Congo, provided a strong interior presence with 15 points, while guards Brito of Spain and Ingram of Orlando, Florida, each contributed significantly beyond scoring. Brito finished with 10 points and seven assists, and Ingram added nine points and seven assists, their playmaking overcoming the team’s overall low assist total.

For Tulsa, forward Hannah Riddick of Calgary, Canada, led the way with 15 points, adding two blocks and two steals. Guard Mady Cartwright of Greenwood, Arkansas, shouldered much of the offensive load, scoring 18 points and dishing out four assists. The Golden Hurricane’s efforts were ultimately undone by their shooting inefficiency and an inability to contain South Florida’s late-game execution.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, South Florida was projected with a 79.50 percent probability to win. The victory gives the Bulls momentum as they prepare for a road test at Texas-San Antonio on Saturday. Tulsa looks to rebound quickly, traveling to face Florida Atlantic also on Saturday.