Following a big home victory against conference rival Marshall, the UCF Men’s Basketball team (18-7, 7-4 C-USA) came up short against Conference-USA leading Southern Miss, 78-74, Saturday night at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Miss.
It was the second time the Knights fell at the hands of the Golden Eagles, who handed UCF their first home loss of the season on Jan. 28.
The Knights were looking to extend their winning streak to four games and gain on Southern Miss (21-4, 8-2 C-USA) in the race for the C-USA crown, but weren’t able to capitalize late in the ball game.
Southern Miss. has been unstoppable on their home court, posting a 12-0 record so far this season. Returning the favor would have done more than just satisfy UCF Nation, but would have created a three-way C-USA tie for first place between UCF, Memphis and Southern Miss.
While the Knights fought until the final seconds, abysmal free throw shooting (12-of-22), and a terrible night from three-point land (four-of-16) would be the determining factor in the Knights loss to Southern Miss.
The Eagles finished the night shooting 29-for-37 from the foul line, three-of-eight from downtown, and 23-for-53 from the field. Their points came from all around as four players scored in double figures, with Jonathan Mills leading the effort with 18.
There was still a silver lining from the loss however, as Isaiah Sykes continued to raise his stock.
Sykes had a career night, posting a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 11-of-15 and hit one-of-two three-point attempts.
Sykes kept the Knights alive in the first half with 12 points, five boards and two steals. Sykes went six-of-six from the floor, in an attempt to balance out Marcus Jordan’s cold hand, who shot just four-of-12 from the field and zero-of-four from behind the arc.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles balanced scoring effort, and 12 points from the bench compared to UCF’s two bench points, would send them into the locker room sporting a 10 point, 37-27 lead at halftime.
LaShay Page matched Sykes efficiency by shooting four-of-five from the field and two-of-two from long range. Page hit a three-point shot with four seconds left on the shot clock off an inbound play to kick-start an 11-4 run that the Eagles would use to close out the half.
The Knights opened the half strong, again with Sykes leading the charge, adding two more buckets.
Tristan Spurlock finally broke the ice from downtown, hitting the Knights first three of 10 attempts, with 14 minutes left in the contest. A series of bad passes and turnovers would lead to a subsequent Kasey Wilson three-point shot, assisted by Jordan, to bring the Knights to within two points.
But the Eagles mounted a response of their own to keep the Knights under their thumb.
With 11 minutes left to play, down 51-44, the Knights started to turn things around.
Isaiah Sykes and Josh Crittle hit four free throws and Spurlock added a jumper to bring the Knights within two, at 51-49. A.J. Rompza pulled up and hit on a three-pointer to give the Knights their first lead since the first five minutes of the game.
The lead, however, did not last long as the Knights would become infected by a cold streak of their own as the Eagles warmed up, and hit their free throws down the stretch to keep the Knights at bay.
In a game that the Knights had plenty of opportunities to capitalize on, they failed to execute and suffered a tough loss.
The Knights have a week off to reflect on their loss, practice their free throws and prepare to host ECU at the Dungeon on Feb. 18.
