The Bearcat defense shut down the UCF Knights, with a final score of 56-46. UC is now in 3rd place in the AAC with a record of 5-2 in the conference and 14-5 on the season.
Kevin Johnson led the Cats with 13 points. Kevin Johnson and Troy Caupain went 6-for-6 from the line in the final minute to seal the win in crunch time. Octavius Ellis added 8 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. Senior Jermaine Sanders was quiet today, but did have 5 points and 5 rebounds. The Cats shot the ball 40.4% from the field.
While the offense did not have a second half surge like they did the previous two games at home, the key to the game was UC having just 9 turnovers. The Cats played mature basketball and did not shoot themselves in the foot on the road. The team appeared to learn its lesson from the Memphis and UConn games earlier in the year.
The AAC’s leading defense was in A+ form, holding UCF scoreless in the final 4 minutes of the game. UCF had just 4 3-pointers on the day, 23.5% 3-point shooting, and 32.7% from the field. UC also racked up 8 steals and 6 blocks. The Cats won the points off turnovers battle, 15-7.
Next up – huge rematch against UConn at Fifth Third Arena Thursday, January 29th at 8 pm ET on ESPN2.
By Andy Smith