UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- 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. Their three previous trips have ended in losses to UConn, who faced Cincinnati in the other semifinal.
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.