South Florida edges UCF for 1st AAC title
No. 15 South Florida 65, Central Florida 62: Elisa Pinzan scored 18 points with eight assists, Bethy Mununga had 11 points and 13 rebounds, and host South Florida (15-2, 12-1) beat Central Florida (13-3, 11-2) on Tuesday night for its first American Athletic Conference regular-season title.
Pinzan sank a 3-pointer for a 58-48 lead with 1:59 remaining and she made her next four free throws for another 10point lead with 57 seconds left.
UCF’s Alisha Lewis made two 3pointers in the final 2:15, the last to get within 63-62 with 1.6 seconds left. Pinzan was fouled and she made two free throws before a heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
Elena Tsineke added 12 points for South Florida. Shae Leverett grabbed 11 rebounds.
USF had runs of 11-0 and 7-0 in the first quarter to build an 18-5 lead. Another 13-3 spurt in the second quarter extended the Bulls’ lead to 22 points.
Lewis scored 27 points with six 3pointers for UCF. Brittney Smith had 10 points and nine rebounds.
The teams are scheduled to face each other again on Thursday to conclude the regular season.
No. 24 Rutgers 74, Penn State 56: Arella Guirantes scored 21 points with seven assists, Tekia Mack had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and host Rutgers (13-3, 9-3 Big Ten) beat Penn State (9-13, 6-12).
Rutgers has won eight conference games in a row for the first time since the 2004-05 season – including holding seven straight opponents under 60 points.
Mael Gilles had 15 points, five rebounds and four steals for Rutgers. Diamond Johnson scored 14 points, and Mack also had four assists, three steals and three blocks.
Rutgers outscored Penn State 25-12 in the second quarter to take a 37-33 lead at the break.
Niya Beverley had 20 points and seven assists for Penn State. Anna Camden added 14 points and four steals.
Rutgers is scheduled to close its regular season on Friday against No 22 Ohio State. Penn State’s regular season is over, losing two straight to Rutgers after a 60-55 contest on Sunday.