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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. \u2014 Top-seeded South Florida defeated No. 2 Wichita State, 70\u201355, on Sunday afternoon at Legacy Arena at the BJCC to win the 2026 American Men\u2019s Basketball Championship.
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\nSouth Florida (25-8) is in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time, and the first time since 2012. They are the No. 11 seed in the East Regional, and play Thursday against Louisville (23-10). Tip time is still to be determined.
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\nIt was a battle inside the paint to begin the team as both teams attacked the basket to score their first 24 of the 27 combined points. Kenyon Giles hit a near half-court buzzer-beating three to end the first half, as the Shockers went into the locker room trailing by seven.
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\nThe Bulls continued to pull away in the second half thanks to a strong performance from Wes Enis, the American Men\u2019s Basketball Championship Most Outstanding Player.\u00a0 Enis scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half, while playing all 40 minutes in the game. South Florida shot 16 of their 23 free throws in the second half, going 13-for-16 from the charity stripe.
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\nIzaiyah Nelson, the American Player of the Year, added 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks.\u00a0 Josh Omojafo scored 10 points for the Bulls.
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\nDillon Battie led the Shockers with 15 points, while Will Berg added 10 points and six rebounds.
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\nAll-Tournament Team
\nDezayne Mingo, Charlotte
\nWes Enis, South Florida (MOP)
\nIzaiyah Nelson, South Florida
\nWill Berg, Wichita State
\nKenyon Giles, Wichita State
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