Written by Shivram Sundar.
The UCF Knights bounced back in commanding fashion from their recent loss to LSU, notching their fifth win of the season with an 84-76 victory over the Milwaukee Panthers. The Knights dazzled on their home court, putting on a show of grit, athleticism, and teamwork in front of an electrified crowd.
Leading the charge was Darius Johnson, who had a career night with a stunning eight three-pointers and a game-high 28 points. Johnson’s sharpshooting proved to be the difference-maker, as he came alive in key moments to help UCF secure the win.
The game’s intensity was evident from the opening quarter, as Jamichael soared above the rim for a thunderous dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy and left the Panthers scrambling to recover defensively.
By the second quarter, the Knights’ offense was firing on all cylinders. White-Pippa sparked the action with a long-range three-pointer, and moments later, Johnson continued his hot hand from beyond the arc, keeping the momentum firmly in UCF’s favor.
The highlight of the night came with a jaw-dropping play when John Lovelace leapt to meet a lob, slamming it home with authority and sending a clear message: UCF was in control.
Though the Panthers mounted several runs, closing the gap multiple times in the second half, the Knights’ resilience and depth proved too much to overcome. UCF’s defense clamped down in the final moments, holding Milwaukee to just two field goals in the last four minutes while Johnson’s clutch three-pointer and free-throw ability sealed the win.
With this victory, the Knights improve to 5-2 on the season and remind fans why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12l. Next up, the Knights continue their five-game home-state stretch, looking to keep the momentum alive and build on their impressive start.
