Knights face Cincinnati for a series-deciding rubber match. March Madness bid hangs in the balance as UCF seeks a crucial Big 12 Tournament victory.
Cincinnati prevailed in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, knocking off Utah 73-66 on Tuesday. This sets up the Bearcats and the Knights in the second round, meeting for the third time this season.
Cincinnati's Baba Miller filled up the stat sheet against the Utes, scoring 11 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dropping six dimes. Former Knights center Moustapha Thiam also notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
UCF and Cincinnati split the regular season series, with the Bearcats winning in the most recent meeting.
The first matchup went down to the wire, as fifth-year senior point guard Themus Fulks propelled the Knights to a 73-72 win with a mid-range jumper.
Thiam was a force in his return to Addition Financial Arena, tallying a game-high 24 points on 10-15 shooting from the field.
In early February, however, it was Miller who shined, leading Cincinnati to a commanding 92-72 victory over the Knights. Miller led his team in scoring (17), assists (5), rebounds (10) and free throws (6), leaving his fingerprints all over the win.
The Knights struggled offensively, shooting just 41% from the field and 26% from 3-point range. Fulks, who was the hero in game one, had his worst showing of the season, failing to score and playing just 19 minutes.
Last season, the Knights won their first game of the Big 12 Tournament, cruising to an 87-72 win over Utah. Keyshawn Hall, who led the Big 12 in scoring in his lone season in Black and Gold, scored a game-high 23 points while adding five assists. UCF legend Darius Johnson and combo guard Jordan "Juice" Ivy Curry combined for 35 points, knocking down five 3-pointers.
UCF's 2024 tournament run came to a close in the following round, dropping a nail biter to Kansas in overtime. Hall once again dominated, scoring 25 points and bringing in 11 rebounds, but Kansas shooting guard Zeke Mayo countered with 24 points of his own, leading the Jayhawks to a 98-94 win.
The Knights need a win Wednesday to secure their March Madness destiny, according to Joe Lunardi. UCF and Cincinnati settle the rubber match Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
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