BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — No. 1 South Florida led wire-to-wire in the semifinals of the American Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, defeating No. 5 Charlotte on Saturday afternoon, 86-64, at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
With the win, the Bulls (24-8) advance to face the winner of No. 3 Tulsa and No. 2 Wichita State in the championship final on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET / 2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN. It marks South Florida’s first appearance in the championship game.
 
Defenses held the offenses in check until the Bulls found their rhythm with six minutes remaining in the first half, making three straight three-pointers as part of an 11-2 run to take an 11-point lead with four minutes remaining. The 49ers doubled the Bulls’ free throw attempts in the first half, but South Florida made six threes compared to Charlotte’s two to take a 40-33 lead into halftime.
 
The Bulls continued to pull away in the second half, going on a 15-1 run with Izaiyah Nelson accounting for seven of the points to increase the lead to 17 with under eight minutes to play. South Florida shot 58.1 percent from the floor in the second half and 42.9 percent from three-point range.
 
Wes Enis and Joseph Pinion combined for 48 of the Bulls’ 86 points in the win, as both scored 24 points. American Player of the Year Izaiyah Nelson added 16 points and eight rebounds.
 
A trio of 49ers reached double figures, led by Anton Bonke’s 15 points. Ben Bradford added 12 points, while Damon Harrison scored 11.