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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. \u2014 No. 1 South Florida led wire-to-wire in the semifinals of the American Conference Men\u2019s Basketball Championship, defeating No. 5 Charlotte on Saturday afternoon, 86-64, at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
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\nWith the win, the Bulls (24-8) advance to face the winner of No. 3 Tulsa and No. 2 Wichita State in the championship final on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET \/ 2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN. It marks South Florida\u2019s first appearance in the championship game.
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\nDefenses held the offenses in check until the Bulls found their rhythm with six minutes remaining in the first half, making three straight three-pointers as part of an 11-2 run to take an 11-point lead with four minutes remaining. The 49ers doubled the Bulls\u2019 free throw attempts in the first half, but South Florida made six threes compared to Charlotte\u2019s two to take a 40-33 lead into halftime.
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\nThe Bulls continued to pull away in the second half, going on a 15-1 run with Izaiyah Nelson accounting for seven of the points to increase the lead to 17 with under eight minutes to play. South Florida shot 58.1 percent from the floor in the second half and 42.9 percent from three-point range.
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\nWes Enis and Joseph Pinion combined for 48 of the Bulls\u2019 86 points in the win, as both scored 24 points. American Player of the Year Izaiyah Nelson added 16 points and eight rebounds.
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\nA trio of 49ers reached double figures, led by Anton Bonke\u2019s 15 points. Ben Bradford added 12 points, while Damon Harrison scored 11.
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