FORT WORTH, Texas – March. 12, 2025 – No. 3 South Florida (23-10) defeated No. 9 Rice (17-17), 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).
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
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.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The Bulls now hold a record of 21-10 in the AAC Tournament.
- South Florida has won the AAC Tournament Championship for the second time in program history (2020-21). USF is 2-5 in the AAC Tournament Championship game.
- USF is the winner of 12 of their last 14 contests.
- The Bulls have bested Rice for the third time this season (W, 74-64, Dec. 29 & W, 82-77 3OT, Feb. 12).
- The last time USF beat a conference opponent three times in a single season was against Tulane during the 2020-21. (W at Tulane 1/13/21 72-53, W vs Tulane 2/20/21 78-69, AACT SF W vs. Tulane 3/10/21 51-47).
- South Florida ties with UConn for the most wins in American Championship history with their 21st win.
The American Athletic Conference has contributed to this story.
UP NEXT
South Florida awaits its fate in the NCAA Tournament, as the bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday (Sunday, Mar. 16) at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The first-round games will take place from Mar. 21-22.
2025-25 SEASON TICKETS
Bulls fans, it’s time to lock in your seats for another exciting season of USF Basketball! The 2025-26 season promises competitive matchups and unforgettable moments at the Yuengling Center. Buy your season tickets here.
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ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
South Florida women’s basketball has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 25 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided the Bulls to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2008-09 WNIT championship, has won over 450 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
– #GoBulls –
