Knights rally from double-digit deficit, hitting clutch threes in the final minutes for a dramatic 79-76 win over Arizona State.
UCF (16-4, 5-3 Big 12) stormed back after trailing by double-figures to stun Arizona State (11-10, 2-6 Big 12) 79-76 Tuesday evening.
Arizona State led 64-53 with less than eight minutes to play. Up to that point, UCF had shot 2-16 from 3-point range. But, then, the Knights caught fire.
Senior guard Riley Kugel and junior guard Chris Johnson converted on three straight attempts from deep. UCF took its first lead of the second half with just over a minute to play, courtesy of a 3-pointer from junior guard Carmelo Pacheco.
The Sun Devils' leading scorer, Maurice "Mo" Odom, converted two free throws to retake the lead. On the following UCF possession, junior forward Jordan Burks caught a kick-out pass from Kugel and nailed the deep ball, giving UCF a two-point advantage.
Burks made another remarkable play on the next defensive possession, tipping a pass to secure a steal and a 79-76 victory for the Knights.
UCF overcame a double-digit second half deficit to storm back for a crucial victory ahead of a two-game gauntlet.
The Knights got off to an early lead, but Arizona State's bench unit helped the Sun Devils close the gap.
Senior guard Anthony "Pig" Johnson scored an eight points and forced multiple UCF turnovers. Johnson is a bench spark for the Sun Devils, averaging over 13 points per game.
Senior forward Allen Mukeba also had a strong first half, scoring seven points. Mukeba also had a highlight, soaring for an and-one dunk.
Kugel and Burks added to the poster-reel, slamming down emphatic dunks of their own in a bouncy first half. Kugel scored seven, while Burks scored eight to lead the Knights.
Sophomore forward John Bol played perhaps his best half of the season, scoring six points and snagging nine rebounds. Bol was strong with the ball, making good reads out of the post and low baseline.
UCF struggled from deep, after shooting over 60% against Colorado on Saturday. The Knights shot just 1-10 in the first 20 minutes, while Arizona State sunk 5 3-pointers.
UCF trailed 39-35 at the break.
The Knights showed great resilience throughout the game. Their shot-making wavered, but they continued to play with the same level of energy. Fifth-year senior point guard Themus Fulks was visibly emotional after the game, pumping up the UCF students in the student section nearby.
UCF will begin a two-game ranked slate against No. 11 Texas Tech Saturday at noon.