USF Bulls Dominate Memphis in AAC Clash

University of South Florida cruises to 87-66 victory behind strong shooting and interior play

Feb. 27, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The University of South Florida Bulls made a statement in the American Athletic Conference on Thursday night, cruising to an 87-66 victory over the Memphis Tigers. Led by Wes Enis' 20 points and Izaiyah Nelson's double-double, the Bulls took control early and never looked back, heading into halftime with a 47-31 lead. USF's offense was balanced, with Joseph Pinion adding 19 points and Nelson dominating the paint. Memphis struggled to keep pace, with Julius Thedford, Curtis Givens III, and Aaron Bradshaw each scoring in double figures in the loss.

Why it matters

The victory keeps USF firmly in the upper echelon of the AAC standings, while Memphis continues to search for consistency as the regular season nears its conclusion. The Bulls' dominant performance showcases their potential to make a deep run in the conference tournament.

The details

The Bulls took the lead for good with just over ten minutes remaining in the opening period and never looked back, heading into the locker room at halftime with a commanding 47-31 advantage. Wes Enis led the charge for USF, pouring in 20 points and grabbing five rebounds, while Joseph Pinion contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, including four made three-pointers. Izaiyah Nelson controlled the paint, recording a massive double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds, particularly effective in the second half with 10 points to help stifle any hopes of a Memphis comeback.

  • The game took place on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Wes Enis

A key player for the University of South Florida Bulls, Enis led the team with 20 points and 5 rebounds in the victory over Memphis.

Joseph Pinion

A contributing scorer for the USF Bulls, Pinion added 19 points and 7 rebounds, including 4 made three-pointers.

Izaiyah Nelson

The dominant interior presence for the Bulls, Nelson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds, helping USF pull away in the second half.

Julius Thedford

A leading scorer for the Memphis Tigers, Thedford provided 13 points in the losing effort.

Curtis Givens III

A key contributor for Memphis, Givens scored 12 points and dished out a team-high 5 assists.

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What they’re saying

“Izaiyah Nelson made sure the Bulls were 'ready to work and grind'.”

— Izaiyah Nelson

What’s next

The victory keeps USF firmly in the upper echelon of the AAC standings, setting them up for a potential deep run in the conference tournament.

The takeaway

The University of South Florida Bulls delivered a dominant performance, showcasing their offensive firepower and interior dominance to cruise past the Memphis Tigers in an important AAC clash. This victory solidifies USF's position as a top contender in the conference as the regular season winds down.