Fulks poured in a career-high 30 points, but UCF couldn't overcome No. 1 Arizona's early dominance in a hard-fought 84-77 loss.
UCF (14-3, 3-2 Big 12) fell short of an upset win against No. 1 Arizona (18-0, 5-0 Big 12) Saturday evening, losing 84-77.
Senior point guard Themus Fulks was on fire, leading all scorers with a career-high 30 points. Fulks also added eight dimes after coming into the game second in the Big 12 in assists per game.
Arizona jumped out to an early double-digit lead, dominating UCF on the glass and taking advantage of second chance opportunities. Junior center Motiejus Krivas scored eleven points in the first ten minutes of the game helping the Wildcats jump out to an early 26-11 advantage with 12 minutes to play in the first.
Junior UCF forward Jordan Burks got UCF back into it with a personal 7-0 run, capped off with a side-step wing 3-pointer to cut the lead to double-digits. Burks had struggled in his last three games, averaging only six points.
From there, Fulks took over. He was decisive with the ball in his hands, driving gaps and pulling up in the mid range. Fulks' eighteen first half points is his most in a half at UCF and helped the Knights cut the lead to three at the break.
UCF did a great job on Arizona freshman Koa Peat. Peat was a top-five recruit in the freshman class and came into the game leading Arizona with 15 points per game. However, he was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes.
Arizona led 41-38.
The Knights maintained a slim deficit in the second half, but Arizona had an answer for each of UCF's scoring runs. Ultimately, Arizona held the lead for the entire half.
Senior guard Jaden Bradley made clutch play after clutch play to help close out the game, controlling pace and making nine of his last ten free-throw attempts.
The Wildcats led a balanced scoring effort, moving the ball and finding advantages on the offensive end. Five Arizona players scored double-digits despite Peat being held to only four.
UCF will have a quick turnaround from now until its next game Tuesday against No. 2 Iowa State (16-2, 3-2 Big 12). The Knights will have an opportunity to add insult to injury to a reeling Cyclones squad that has dropped its last two games after a 16-0 start.
However, beating them home will be difficult as the Cyclones are yet to drop a home game. The Knights tip off against Iowa State Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.