CLEARWATER - A day after University of South Florida coach Lelo Prado questioned his team’s intensity, the Bulls left no doubt whether they were ready for Thursday’s Big East Tournament elimination game with West Virginia.

Senior first baseman Joey Angelberger hit a first-inning, three-run homer and freshman designated hitter Stephen Hunt had three hits as the Bulls crushed the Mountaineers 12-5 at Bright House Field.

The win earns the sixth-seeded Bulls (31-26) a rematch with No. 2 Cincinnati today at 1 p.m. If USF wins, USF and UC would play a second game at either 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. today. If the Bulls defeat the Bearcats twice, they advance to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship against either Louisville or Villanova.

“I knew we had a chance because we came out with the right attitude,” Prado said. “When we come out with a little fire, we do a good job. Every one was able to relax after Angelberger’s homer. He’s done it for us all year.”

Angelberger’s home run was his fifth in the past seven games.

USF freshman Randy Fontanez (5-3) allowed seven hits and three earned runs in six innings with six strike outs and only one walk. Zach Pietrzyk pitched three scoreless innings for his second save.

“Randy and Zack both did a helluva job,” Prado said.

Limited to one run in Wednesday’s 11-1 loss to Cincinnati, the Bulls scored in every inning but the second and fourth against the seventh-seeded Mountaineers (35-21).

“Getting up early, it was like ‘here we go,’ ” Angelberger said. “All we have to do is battle. It was good for Randy to go out there with a three-run lead. He’s a great pitcher.”

LF Chris Rey added two RBIs, while Hunt also scored three runs. The Mountaineers were their own worst enemy with three errors, three passed balls, two wild pitches and a balk.

The Bulls may be shorthanded today against Cincinnati. Center fielder Junior Carlin, who went 2-for-3, left the game during his seventh inning at bat with an apparent asthma attack, Prado said.

Angelberger said the Bulls obviously must come out with more purpose Friday against the Bearcats.

“We have to come out with more intensity,” Angelberger said. “We know we can beat them and come out with a win if we leave it all out on the field.”