South Florida's Maria Jespersen, center, looses the ball under pressure from Central Florida's Nyala Shuler , left, and Masseny Kaba , right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Kitija Laksa scored 20 points and Laura Ferreira added 17 to lead No. 19 South Florida to a 74-59 win over rival UCF in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Maria Jespersen chipped in with 12 for the Bulls (26-6), who advanced to the conference final for the fourth straight season. South Florida will face UConn again for the title, having lost each of the previous games.
Zakiya Saunders had 20 points to lead UCF (21-10).
South Florida, which put five players in double figures, led by three points at the half and began the second half with three 3-pointers, one from Jespersen and a pair from Laksa, to open up a 42-30 lead.
This was the first meeting of the rivals in the AAC Tournament. South Florida won both regular season meetings, beating UCF by 17 points at home in January and by nine points in overtime on Feb. 18.
The Bulls are one victory from equaling their highest win total in program history.
South Florida's Kitija Laksa, left, shoots as Central Florida's Aliyah Gregory, right, defends, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
Central Florida head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson calls to her team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Florida in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press
South Florida's Alyssa Rader, left, shoots over Central Florida's Nyala Shuler , right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The Associated Press