TAMPA, Fla. – The standings in the American Athletic Conference just got a whole lot more crowded. On a Sunday afternoon defined by physical play and high-stakes shot-making, Izaiyah Nelson put the South Florida Bulls on his back to secure a gritty 80-74 victory over Tulsa.
Nelson was a force of nature in the paint, racking up 25 points and snagging 10 rebounds to spearhead a South Florida attack that simply refused to blink in the face of a ranked opponent. While the Bulls moved to 16-8 overall and 8-3 in conference play, the loss proved a rare stumble for a Tulsa squad that entered the day with an impressive 20-4 record.
The game was largely a tale of two halves and two stars. Wes Enis set the tone early for South Florida, scoring 13 of his 20 points before the halftime buzzer. Enis was efficient and surgical, finishing 6-of-11 from the floor while flashing his playmaking chops with six assists.
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His ability to navigate the Golden Hurricane’s defense kept the Bulls afloat during a back-and-forth opening frame, allowing them to retreat to the locker room with a narrow 39-35 lead. When the second half rolled around, it was Nelson’s turn to take over.
The big man poured in 15 of his 25 points after the intermission, working the block and cleaning up the glass to keep Tulsa at arm’s length.
The victory gives the Bulls a share of first place in the American Conference for the first time under coach Hodgson, marking a significant milestone in the program’s upward trajectory.
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