Written by Shivram Sundar.
The UCF Knights took on the state of Arizona, playing the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday (losing 88-80) and the Arizona State Sun Devils (winning 95-89). Below is how each game went:
Arizona Wildcats
The Arizona Wildcats maintained their winning streak as the team defeated the UCF Knights on Saturday night 88-80 in an entertaining game showing off effective offense and depth. It was the sixth straight win by Arizona with its record at 10-5 overall and 4-0 in Big 12 play.
Caleb Love led the balanced effort for the Wildcats with 16 points on four 3-pointers, a team-high eight rebounds, and six assists. Anthony Dell’Orso was nearly perfect with 15 points on a perfect 9-for-9 effort from the foul line. Henri Veesaar scored 14, Tobe Awaka added 11, and KJ Lewis had 10.
Arizona didn’t waste any time setting the tone. Love opened the scoring with a pair of free throws and followed up with a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a quick 5-0 lead. A dominant 9-0 run midway through the first half, punctuated by a thunderous dunk from Awaka, extended Arizona’s lead to 14 points.
UCF wouldn’t go quietly, though, as a balanced offense behind a game-high 22 from Keyshawn Hall and 18 more from Darius Johnson willed the Knights to an 11-3 second-chance points advantage in the first half off a 12-3 offensive rebounding edge. A Rokas Jocius three-point play keyed an 18-6 run that pulled the game to a 42-42 tie at halftime.
However, Trey Townsend’s crucial and-one layup just before the break restored Arizona’s lead. The Wildcats never trailed again.
In the second half, UCF tied it at 45-all just seconds after the break with a 3-pointer from Johnson, but Townsend’s free throw on the next possession put Arizona back in control. The Wildcats responded with a decisive 13-4 run that gave them the lead for good.
Despite the comeback attempt by UCF, balanced scoring by Arizona and clutch free-throw shooting sealed the win. The Wildcats shot a scorching 50% from the field in the first half and remained consistent down the stretch to keep the Knights at bay.
Arizona State Sun Devils
After a loss against the Wildcats, the UCF Knights bounced back with a vengeance, defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils in a thrilling game 95 – 89. The star of the night was Keyshawn Hall, who delivered a career-high 40 points, leading the Knights to a well-deserved victory.
Midway through the second half, the Sun Devils mounted a fierce comeback with a 9–0 run, tying the game and briefly taking the lead during a tense three-point battle. The momentum swung back and forth as both teams fought for control.
Free throws became the deciding factor in the closing minutes, with UCF staying composed under pressure. Their defense shone throughout the game, forcing key stops and limiting ASU’s chances to capitalize.
The game remained razor-close until the very end, with UCF clinging to a narrow 4-point lead. Every possession mattered, but the Knights held firm, securing a hard-fought win and redeeming themselves after their earlier loss.
In addition to Hall’s incredible performance, Darius Johnson contributed 17 points while playing a game-high 36 minutes. JJ Taylor also made an impact with 14 points and 9 rebounds, providing crucial support on both ends of the court.
Moving Forward
After their run in The Grand Canyon State, the Knights are now 12-4 overall, being 3-2 in conference play. With the Space Game against a currently ranked Houston Cougars coming up on Saturday, the Knights need to build their momentum in order to have high success this season.
