As the clock struck zero in Fort Worth, the Bulls would get ready to hold up the American Athletic Conference trophy for the second time in program history.

The Bulls (23-10, 13-4 AAC) carried wins over North Texas and Tulane in earlier rounds before defeating Rice on Wednesday, delivering head coach Jose Fernandez’s 10th trip to the NCAA tournament. 

“They came to Fort Worth with a purpose,” Fernandez said in a post game press conference. “It showed.” 

Junior guard Carla Brito and sophomore guard Vittoria Blasigh led the team throughout the tournament, turning in career games when it mattered most.

For Brito, her dominance on the boards led to 32 rebounds during the tournament. She grabbed 17 boards against Tulsa in a double-double performance, leading her to be named tournament MVP. 

“[Brito’s] the glue and she brings the energy everyday,” graduate guard Mama Dembele said after the game against Rice (17-17, 7-11 AAC.) 

For Blasigh, the win spells her first trip to the NCAA tournament after the Bulls missed out last year for the first time since the 2018-19 season. 

“We have to play in March Madness which is amazing,” Blasigh said. “We’re going to try to fight and win.”

Blasigh scored 49 points in the three-game stretch, including 20 points in the championship to put away Rice. 

The Bulls were relentless through the three games as they trailed their opponents for just 36 seconds combined. All 36 seconds came in the first minute of their first round game against Tulane. 

Related: USF’s Sammie Puisis could cement herself as a Bulls great with an AAC title

Fernandez noted Rice’s fight despite being down by as much as 15 points in the third quarter.

“We were up and they just wouldn’t go away,” Fernandez said. 

Despite the Owls best efforts, USF got the best of Rice as time winded down.

Fernandez said he already knew what the outcome would be.

“I felt with the way they carried themselves,” Fernandez said. “We weren’t going to lose.” 

Dembele played her role of point guard, helping to lead the Bulls dynamic offense throughout their trifecta of wins.

Dembele dished out 20 assists, with eight in the championship.

However, Dembele’s presence was even more prominent on defense. The AAC Defensive Player of the Year picked up 8 steals in three games. 

Related: USF’s Mama Dembele, L’or Mputu receive conference awards

“I thought she was aggressive,” Fernandez said after Dembele’s four steal performance against Tulane. “She set the tone defensively.” 

The Bulls looked to set their own tone going into their second NCAA tournament run in three years, especially after dropping games against ECU and Tulsa to close out the regular season. 

The losses smothered any USF chance of an at-large bid to March Madness, making the only path to the NCAA tournament through Fort Worth. 

“There was a lot of disappointment after losing on the road to Tulsa and at home to East Carolina,” Fernandez said.

Yet Fernandez was grateful for the lessons that the losses taught the team.

“This group is special,” Fernandez said. 

Seeding for the NCAA women’s tournament will take place 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Bulls are guaranteed a spot in the tournament after winning the AAC championship.