FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 3 South Florida defeated No. 7 Rice, 69-62, in the 2025 American Women’s Basketball Championship final on Wednesday evening, March 12, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
With the win, the Bulls (23-10) earns The American’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, March 16 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
This is South Florida’s second American Athletic Conference Championship win, becoming the second team in conference history to win multiple tournament titles (UConn, 7).
The Bulls shot 50 percent (7-14) from the floor in the first quarter, with Championship Most Outstanding Player Carla Brito leading the team with seven of the 18 points scored.
After trailing as many as 15 points in the third quarter, the Owls (17-17) cut the deficit to six points with 9:11 remaining in the game but could not get any closer. This is Rice’s first loss in the American Championship, moving to 7-1 all-time.
South Florida ties with UConn for the most wins in American Championship history with their 21st win.
2025 All-Tournament Team
Carla Brito, South Florida (Most Outstanding Player)
Vittoria Blasigh, South Florida
Mama Dembele, South Florida
Malia Fisher, Rice
Sussy Ngulefac, Rice
2025 American Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas)
First Round | Saturday, March 8 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 12 Charlotte 55, No. 13 Florida Atlantic 51 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Second Round | Sunday, March 9
Game 2: No. 9 Rice 76, No. 8 UAB 63 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 3: No. 12 Charlotte 71, No. 5 Tulsa 66 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 4: No. 7 East Carolina 64, No. 10 Memphis 45 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 5: No. 6 Tulane 69, No. 11 Wichita State 63 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Quarterfinals | Monday, March 10
Game 6: No. 9 Rice 62, No. 1 UTSA 58 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 7: No. 4 Temple 65, No. 12 Charlotte 34 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 8: No. 2 North Texas 69, No. 7 East Carolina 58 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 9: No. 3 South Florida 69, No. 6 Tulane 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Semifinals | Tuesday, March 11
Game 10: No. 9 Rice 67, No. 4 Temple 49 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 11: No. 3 South Florida 58, No. 2 North Texas 48 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Final | Wednesday, March 12
Game 12: No. 3 South Florida 69, No. 9 Rice 62
