Despite missing 14 free throws and turning the ball over 16 times, UCF mustered a 82-78 win over Hofstra in it's season opener Monday night. Senior guard Riley Kugel led all scorers with 19 points, while junior forward Jordan Burks added 17 and seven rebounds. 

UCF started off slow, scoring just five points in the first five minutes. The Knights did a great job of drawing contact and getting to the free throw line in the first half, but struggled to convert the freebies, making just five of their thirteen attempts and committing a lane violation.

Kugel was a big proponent in keeping UCF in the game, hitting five first half threes. Just before the under eight minute media timeout, Kugel hit an electrifying and-one three pointer to tie the game that threw Addition Financial Arena into a frenzy. 

Fifth-year senior point guard Themus Fulks said that the fans and student section acted as a "sixth-man" for the team throughout the game, adding "We felt the energy soon as we walked into the building. Just seeing the fronds all in the sky, I feel like they're amazing."

UCF finished the half strong, but Hofstra junior guard A.J. Wills nailed a buzzer-beating three pointer to keep the Pride within striking distance.

The Knights led 36-32 at the break. 

Both teams found their offensive grooves in the second half, trading baskets back-and-forth. Burks scored seven early points in the second half, including a go-ahead three to give the Knights the lead back with just under 12 minutes to play.

Things got chippy early in the second half, as four players were assessed technical fouls. The physical play continued and both sides continued to get to the free throw line.

The Knights put Hofstra's big men in foul trouble, as starting center Silas Sunday picked up his fourth foul halfway through the second. Sunday's backup, junior center Victory Onuetu, fouled out as well. 

But, Hofstra continued to fight, as freshman guard Preston Edmead connected on a left-wing three to tie the game at 64-64 with eight minutes to play.

Out of the break, Fulks answered with a three of his own to put the Knights back on top 67-64. Fulks shined as a playmaker, racking up eight assists, but will need to be a bit smarter with the ball as he also committed six turnovers.

After the game, Fulks said he could tell that he, along with some of his teammates were a bit rusty on game one, but he was pleased with how they settled in.

"I think you could tell, some of the guys, you know, a little nervous, a little too excited," Fulks said. "I just try to be calm as I can throughout the game, try to be even keeled and help my teammates as much as I can." 

He also emphasized that the team is still working on chemistry and that sometimes, he felt that his teammates were "juking him," and leaving him guessing on whether they were cutting or staying put in the corner. He said time and reps will allow them to learn each others tendencies better and limit some turnovers, but he is certain the Knights are "going to keep turning other teams over."

UCF extended the lead to as many as eight with 2:24 to play, but Hofstra wasn't done yet. Preseason First-Team All-Coastal Athletic Association selection Cruz Davis converted an and-one layup, cutting the Knights' lead to five. 

After Burks had his layup rejected, Hofstra scored again, making it a one possession ball game with just over one minute to play. After a UCF timeout, Kugel got into the lane and got a layup to go. The Knights led 81-76.

UCF missed three free throws in a row down the stretch with a chance to ice the game, but Burks iced the game with an offensive rebound on the final miss. The Knights snuck away with a slim 82-78 win.

Dawkins said he was happy with his team's resilience and ability to pull out the win, but that is what he expects.

"That's what they've been all summer and all fall. Very competitive, and they've shown that type of resilience," UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said. He went on to say that this group is filled with players who live for the moment and "don't mind being in those tough situation."

UCF will need to clean up the 14 misses from the free throw line and limit turnovers going into it's next game against a high-powered Vanderbilt team. The Commodores opened their season with a 105-61 statement win against Lipscomb where five players scored double digits.

UCF will host Vanderbilt this Saturday at 4 p.m.