South Florida Bulls Defeat Florida Atlantic Owls in NCAAM Matchup

South Florida extends winning streak against in-state rival FAU

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The South Florida Bulls defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 89-76 in a college basketball matchup on Sunday, February 15. South Florida, currently first in the American Conference, has now won 16 of the last 20 meetings between the two Florida schools. The Bulls were led by strong offensive performances from Izaiyah Nelson, Wes Enis, and Joseph Pinion, who all scored in double digits.

Why it matters

This victory keeps South Florida in the hunt for the American Conference title, while Florida Atlantic continues to struggle, having lost five straight games. The Bulls' high-powered offense proved too much for the Owls, who have had difficulty scoring consistently during their recent skid.

The details

South Florida entered the game as a 5.5-point favorite and lived up to the hype, leading wire-to-wire against their in-state rivals. The Bulls were paced by Izaiyah Nelson's 25 points, while Wes Enis and Joseph Pinion each added 14 points. Florida Atlantic was led by its guard trio of Devin Vanterpool (15.4 PPG), Kanaan Carlyle (14 PPG), and Isaiah Elohim (13 PPG), but the Owls' offense sputtered, scoring 76 or fewer points for the fifth straight game.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Izaiyah Nelson

A key player for the South Florida Bulls, scoring 25 points in the victory.

Wes Enis

Scored 14 points for the South Florida Bulls in the win.

Joseph Pinion

Contributed 14 points for the South Florida Bulls in the matchup.

Devin Vanterpool

The leading scorer for the Florida Atlantic Owls, averaging 15.4 points per game.

Kanaan Carlyle

One of the Owls' top guards, averaging 14 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same intensity and focus that has led to our recent success. This was an important conference win, but we still have work to do.”

— Brian Gregory, Head Coach, South Florida Bulls (draftkings.com)

“Our offense has struggled lately, and we couldn't find a way to slow down South Florida's scoring attack. We need to regroup and find a way to get back in the win column.”

— Dusty May, Head Coach, Florida Atlantic Owls (draftkings.com)

What’s next

South Florida will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for the American Conference title, while Florida Atlantic will try to end its five-game losing streak in their next matchup.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the two Florida schools, with South Florida's high-powered offense proving too much for the struggling Florida Atlantic squad. The Bulls' balanced scoring attack and stifling defense were the keys to their victory, as they continue to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the American Conference.