UCF used to be stable within the first 1/2 towards Texas Tech, then ruled early in the second one to roll into Lubbock and open Giant 12 Convention play with a gritty 87-83 triumph on Tuesday.
Darius Johnson knocked two unfastened throws with 19 seconds to move and every other with 9.2 seconds left to lend a hand the Knights win their 6th directly recreation, staving off the Crimson Raiders’ livid rally from an 18-point second-half deficit.
Taking part in for the primary time since past due November because of a knee damage, JT Toppin delivered 26 issues and 10 rebounds for the Crimson Raiders (9-3, 0-1), with Probability McMillian and Federiko Federiko chipping in with 12 issues each and every.
Johnson led UCF with 24 issues, whilst Keyshawn Corridor used to be giant for the Knights (10-2, 1-0) on his strategy to a 22-point, eight-rebound efficiency. He scored 17 in a close to flawless first 1/2 when his group plowed in entrance 47-41.
The Crimson Raiders notched the primary two issues after halftime, then went chilly. That allowed UCF to reel off a 14-2 run that ended with a 61-45 cushion on Johnson’s fastbreak layup.
The lead swelled to 71-53 with 10 mins left prior to Texas Tech launched into a comeback bid. McMillian equipped 5 issues in an 11-0 surge over 2:20 that closed the space to 71-64 with 7 1/2 mins to move.
Johnson halted the run with a couple of unfastened throws which put the Knights again up by means of 8, and that lead continued even if the Crimson Raiders made a past due lunge. McMillian’s second-chance 3-pointer were given his group inside 82-78 with 2:52 left within the recreation, then Toppin’s practice jumper were given Texas Tech inside 84-83 with 37 seconds left prior to Johnson iced the win.
UCF grabbed the halftime lead with scorching taking pictures — 57.1 p.c general (16 of 28) and six of 14 (42.9 p.c) from 3-point territory. Corridor led the best way by means of hitting all seven flooring photographs, together with 3 3s.
Perimeter taking pictures used to be an issue for Texas Tech. The Crimson Raiders made simplest 3 photographs from past the arc in 16 makes an attempt (18.8 p.c), whilst UCF completed 10 of 23 (43.5 p.c).
–Box Degree Media
