Written by Joe Klawe
Orlando, FL - The absence of one of the team’s leading scorers, B.J. Taylor, has brought UCF to a successful trial by fire after their fourth consecutive win – the first 4-win streak since 2013. Davis’ performance, as well as Tacko Fall’s season growth to a 9.6ppg average, filled Saturday night’s matchup with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
“As far as today, we definitely wanted to get the win after losing the last two years,” Davis said. “I just tried to rebound; that was the rhythm of the game. At the end of the day, if that’s what it takes – rebounds, scoring – I’m trying to do what we need to do to win.”
The Knights fell short on free throws and three’s taken in the second half, 3-10 to 2-9 and 7-7 to 7-12, respectively, while picking up on shots in the field, but held the Owls to a 14 point lead through the end of regular play.
Djordjije Mumin and Tanksley Efianayi saw game time in the second half after the Knights had the lead secured. FAU took the opportunity to complete two successful fast breaks to shake UCF’s offense but Mumin would respond with a shot in the field to keep the Owls in check.
“We had a nice ending there to end the first half; we had a good run and finally locked in to get focused in the second half but [I] give FAU credit,” UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. “They came in and played tough as I knew they would. We got off to a cold start, offensively, but I was proud that we kept ourselves in the game by defending and rebounding.”
Taylor (bone contusion) expects a return for conference play, with Jones commenting on a visible improvement in recovery.
The Knights take to Michigan to face Detroit on December 19 at 7 p.m.
“As far as today, we definitely wanted to get the win after losing the last two years,” Davis said. “I just tried to rebound; that was the rhythm of the game. At the end of the day, if that’s what it takes – rebounds, scoring – I’m trying to do what we need to do to win.”
The Knights fell short on free throws and three’s taken in the second half, 3-10 to 2-9 and 7-7 to 7-12, respectively, while picking up on shots in the field, but held the Owls to a 14 point lead through the end of regular play.
Djordjije Mumin and Tanksley Efianayi saw game time in the second half after the Knights had the lead secured. FAU took the opportunity to complete two successful fast breaks to shake UCF’s offense but Mumin would respond with a shot in the field to keep the Owls in check.
“We had a nice ending there to end the first half; we had a good run and finally locked in to get focused in the second half but [I] give FAU credit,” UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. “They came in and played tough as I knew they would. We got off to a cold start, offensively, but I was proud that we kept ourselves in the game by defending and rebounding.”
Taylor (bone contusion) expects a return for conference play, with Jones commenting on a visible improvement in recovery.
The Knights take to Michigan to face Detroit on December 19 at 7 p.m.