Written by Erik Slaby
Hartford, CT - On a cold, snowy afternoon here at the XL Center, in the second game of the second day of the 2017 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, the University of Central Florida Knights defeated the University of Memphis, 84-54.
UCF put on an impressive offensive and defensive show throughout the game. The team played defense at a rapid pace and were very aggressive on offense. What makes this performance even more impressive is that they did it without their seven-foot six-inch center Tacko Fall for most of the first half, as he was in foul trouble.
At the end of the first half, UCF led Memphis by a score of 43-26. Early on it seemed like it may be a close game but UCF went on a 12-0 run, led by guard Matt Williams who scored nine straight points. In the first half, UCF shot roughly 46% from the three-point line and 55% from the field. In comparison, Memphis made 25% of their three-point attempts and 29% of their attempts from the field.
UCF was led by Williams and fellow guard B.J. Taylor who each had 11 points apiece, to lead all scorers. Forward Nick Banyard was also key with seven points. Memphis was led by forward Dedric Lawson, who had seven points. He also had six rebounds, which led both teams.
In the second half, UCF continued their impressive performance. They maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the half and Memphis was able to attempt a comeback as they cut the UCF lead to 10 a couple times. Each time though, a UCF player was able to sink a shot to maintain the lead. Memphis had their moments in the second half but it was not enough.
UCF had four players score in double figures. They were led by Williams who led all scorers with 19 points. Taylor added 14 points, forward Tank Efianayi and Banyard each had 12 points apiece. Fall led both teams in rebounding with 11 boards. A big reason for UCF’s success was their continued ability to make shots. UCF made 54% of their shots from the field and 53% from the three-point line for the game. In comparison, Memphis shot 31% from the field and 23% from the three-point line.
Memphis was led by Lawson, who had 12 points and led the team in rebounds with nine. Guard Jeremiah Martin added 11 points and forward K.J. Lawson contributed 10 points.
UCF will face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Saturday at 3PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
UCF put on an impressive offensive and defensive show throughout the game. The team played defense at a rapid pace and were very aggressive on offense. What makes this performance even more impressive is that they did it without their seven-foot six-inch center Tacko Fall for most of the first half, as he was in foul trouble.
At the end of the first half, UCF led Memphis by a score of 43-26. Early on it seemed like it may be a close game but UCF went on a 12-0 run, led by guard Matt Williams who scored nine straight points. In the first half, UCF shot roughly 46% from the three-point line and 55% from the field. In comparison, Memphis made 25% of their three-point attempts and 29% of their attempts from the field.
UCF was led by Williams and fellow guard B.J. Taylor who each had 11 points apiece, to lead all scorers. Forward Nick Banyard was also key with seven points. Memphis was led by forward Dedric Lawson, who had seven points. He also had six rebounds, which led both teams.
In the second half, UCF continued their impressive performance. They maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the half and Memphis was able to attempt a comeback as they cut the UCF lead to 10 a couple times. Each time though, a UCF player was able to sink a shot to maintain the lead. Memphis had their moments in the second half but it was not enough.
UCF had four players score in double figures. They were led by Williams who led all scorers with 19 points. Taylor added 14 points, forward Tank Efianayi and Banyard each had 12 points apiece. Fall led both teams in rebounding with 11 boards. A big reason for UCF’s success was their continued ability to make shots. UCF made 54% of their shots from the field and 53% from the three-point line for the game. In comparison, Memphis shot 31% from the field and 23% from the three-point line.
Memphis was led by Lawson, who had 12 points and led the team in rebounds with nine. Guard Jeremiah Martin added 11 points and forward K.J. Lawson contributed 10 points.
UCF will face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Saturday at 3PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPN2.