No. 25 UCF women beat USF 53-45, win first AAC championship

Mar 10, 2022, 7:26 AM | Updated: 9:31 pm

Central Florida's Diamond Battles (3) and teammates celebrate a win over South Florida in an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

South Florida center Shae Leverett, from left, Elisa Pinzan, and Sydni Harvey (3) celebrate after a basket against Central Florida in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Central Florida guard Diamond Battles, left, goes up for a shot as South Florida guard Elisa Pinzan (4) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Central Florida forward Destiny Thomas (33) is defended by South Florida's Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (32), Bethy Mununga (20) and Elisa Pinzan (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

South Florida center Shae Leverett, left, defends as Central Florida's Brittney Smith (32) positions for a shot in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

South Florida guard Elena Tsineke (5) defends as Central Florida guard Diamond Battles (3) takes a shot in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

South Florida guard Sydni Harvey (3) takes a charge on a shot attempt by Central Florida forward Brittney Smith (32) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Central Florida forward Destiny Thomas, from left, South Florida forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Central Florida's Brittney Smith and South Florida's Bethy Mununga, right, all compete for control of a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Central Florida forward Masseny Kaba (5) goes up for a shot as South Florida forward Bethy Mununga (20) and Shae Leverett (21) defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Central Florida guard Shania Meertens (31) shoots as South Florida center Shae Leverett (21) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference women's tournament championship Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Diamond Battles scored 17 points and No. 25 UCF pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat South Florida 53-45 on Thursday night to win the American Athletic Conference tournament championship.

Top-seeded UCF (25-3) won its first AAC tournament title, avenged a loss to South Florida (24-8) in last season’s championship and extended its winning streak to a program-best 13 games.

Neither team held more than three-point lead in the second half and it was tied at 40 with 5:23 to play. But the Knights scored the next nine points and ended the game on a 13-5 run. Battles and Destiny Thomas each had four points during the stretch. The Knights held South Florida to 17% shooting (2 of 12), forced seven turnovers and outscored the Bulls 16-6 in the fourth quarter.

Masseny Kaba added nine points and nine rebounds for UCF. Thomas finished with seven points and nine rebounds.

Entering the tournament, the Knights were allowing a nation-best 48.1 points per game and held SMU to 28 in Wednesday’s semifinal, but in this one they trailed 26-24 at halftime.

Elena Tsineke scored 14 points to lead No. 2 seed South Florida. Elisa Pinzan added nine points and Bethy Mununga grabbed 11 rebounds to go with seven points and five assists.

___

More AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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