By: Jheanelle Wize
Orlando, FL- CFE Arena came alive on Saturday afternoon with Donnie Jones’ UCF Knights taking on Larry Brown and the Mustangs. Game tip-off was at 12 noon and CFE Arena was packed with fans decked out in the team’s black and gold. The Mustangs came prepared for a physical game against the Knight’s top scorer Isaiah Sykes who scored a career-high of 29 points against Rutgers on Wednesday. Sykes is the only player in the American Athletic Conference to rank in the Top 15 in scoring. |
He had 6 points, 2 assists and 4 steals and was on his way to a double-double before getting injured at the beginning of the second half with a hit to the head. He left for the locker room and did not return. Details on his condition will be revealed after he is examined, as Coach Jones did not wish to comment on the injury.
The first half was a close one with 5 lead changes and the score being tied 6 times, both teams went into the locker room with the score knotted at 22. The Knights put on a defensive clinic in the 1st half with 5 steals and 3 blocks. However the Mustangs came out strong for the 2nd half shooting 55.6% in the paint and took a commanding lead over the Knights. Nick Russell and Nic Moore shot 100% beyond the arc with 2-2 and 3-3 three-point shots respectively to help put the Mustangs up by 13 points.
After losing their lead scorer Sykes early in the second half the Knights had no answer for this offensive showcase as they fell to the Mustangs with the final score 58-46.
Tristan Spurlock the Knight’s top scorer said, “They didn’t execute well down the stretch” and was extremely disappointed as this is the third loss in a row for this young team.
Head Coach Donnie Jones knows “they made too many young mistakes offensively in turnovers”, but is confident if they start taking care of the ball more they will be successful for the rest of the season.
Coach Jones had this to say of team resilience “Every team loses it’s how you come back that makes you strong.”
The Knights will go on to play Cincinnati on January 23rd, and the Mustangs will take on Hofstra tomorrow night.
The first half was a close one with 5 lead changes and the score being tied 6 times, both teams went into the locker room with the score knotted at 22. The Knights put on a defensive clinic in the 1st half with 5 steals and 3 blocks. However the Mustangs came out strong for the 2nd half shooting 55.6% in the paint and took a commanding lead over the Knights. Nick Russell and Nic Moore shot 100% beyond the arc with 2-2 and 3-3 three-point shots respectively to help put the Mustangs up by 13 points.
After losing their lead scorer Sykes early in the second half the Knights had no answer for this offensive showcase as they fell to the Mustangs with the final score 58-46.
Tristan Spurlock the Knight’s top scorer said, “They didn’t execute well down the stretch” and was extremely disappointed as this is the third loss in a row for this young team.
Head Coach Donnie Jones knows “they made too many young mistakes offensively in turnovers”, but is confident if they start taking care of the ball more they will be successful for the rest of the season.
Coach Jones had this to say of team resilience “Every team loses it’s how you come back that makes you strong.”
The Knights will go on to play Cincinnati on January 23rd, and the Mustangs will take on Hofstra tomorrow night.