After a tough loss to Arizona, UCF looks to regroup against Arizona State in their next game
The Knights, now 11-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12, never led in the game. They shot under 39% from the field and only 23% from three-point range. That’s the lowest shooting percentage in the Big 12 this season.
Keyshawn Hall was the standout, scoring 22 points, while Darius Johnson added 18. Coach Johnny Dawkins praised the team’s effort despite the loss, noting they kept fighting even when they fell behind.
The game had its ups and downs. Arizona went on a scoring run, leaving UCF scoreless for almost six minutes early on. But the Knights managed to close the gap to 45-42 by halftime. Unfortunately, Arizona quickly regained a double-digit lead in the second half.
On a brighter note, UCF grabbed a season-high 22 offensive rebounds, turning those into 23 second-chance points. Dawkins was pleased with this improvement, saying it was something they focused on in practice.
Mikey Williams also made a splash, scoring a season-high 9 points in just his fifth game back from injury. Dawkins highlighted Williams’ competitive spirit and potential as he continues to find his place on the team.
UCF is set to finish their trip against Arizona State, who recently lost to Baylor. The Sun Devils are led by a solid group of players, including seniors Basheer Jihad and BJ Freeman, along with freshman Joson Sanon.
The Knights will look to bounce back and secure a win in Tempe on Tuesday night.
