Written by Shivram Sundar.
The UCF Knights continued their momentum with a commanding 74-59 victory over the California Baptist Lancers, extending their record to an outstanding 6 – 2. The win showcased grit, resilience, and a second-half turnaround that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The game began as a challenge for the Knights, with the team struggling to find rhythm in the first half. Missed shots and a disjointed defense allowed the Lancers to take control early on. However, UCF rallied just before halftime, fueled by a spark from Tyler Hendricks, who nailed an impressive and-one to narrow the gap. Moments later, Darius Johnson ignited the crowd with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, followed by another triple to give the Knights a slim three-point lead heading into the break.
The second half was a completely different story. UCF came out firing on all cylinders, locking down the Lancers defensively on an electrifying 15-0 run. Johnson, who had already proven to be a clutch performer in the first half, continued his dominance with relentless defense, racking up a staggering seven steals within the first six minutes. The Knights capitalized on every Lancers turnover, converting them into points and building an insurmountable lead.
Despite an early scare when forward Taylor Coleman took a hard fall, he showed resilience by returning to action and contributing to the team’s effort. By the game’s end, UCF had found its rhythm, with Johnson having another seasonal performance and the entire team stepping up defensively to shut down the Lancers’ offense.
This win is a testament to the Knights’ potential this season, and fans can only hope the energy and teamwork displayed in the second half carry over into their next game against Tarleton State.
