UCF Triumphs Over Arizona State in Thrilling Matchup
In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, the University of Central Florida (UCF) overcame a late deficit to snatch a 79-76 victory against Arizona State. Riley Kugel led the Knights with 17 points, while his teammate Jordan Burks not only contributed 15 points but also delivered a crucial 3-pointer in the dying moments of the game.
Key Moments of the Game
UCF showcased their perseverance by executing a decisive 14-2 run, which brought the score to a tied 72-72 with just over two minutes left on the clock. Burks’ timely three-pointer put UCF ahead 78-76 with 34 seconds remaining, and he played a pivotal role in forcing a turnover on the ensuing Arizona State possession.
Themus Fulks added 12 points for UCF and helped secure the win by converting one of his two free throw attempts shortly before the final buzzer. Arizona State’s Bryce Ford had the chance to tie the game with a three-pointer on the last play but missed the shot, sealing UCF’s victory. Aside from Kugel’s performance, Jamichael Stillwell contributed significantly with 14 points, and John Bol dominated the boards with 10 rebounds, while Kugel and Stillwell each recorded nine rebounds.
Arizona State’s Performance
On the other side, Arizona State’s Maurice Odum was a standout, scoring 18 points and hitting three three-pointers, while Anthony Johnson and Bryce Ford chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively. The Sun Devils had initially taken control of the game, leveraging a strong 23-11 run to build their largest lead of 70-58 with just over six minutes to go. They led 39-35 at halftime after a late first half surge, which started with Odum hitting a three-pointer about six minutes before the break. This exciting matchup marked Arizona State’s first appearance in Orlando for this series.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Arizona State will host the No. 1 ranked Arizona on Saturday, while UCF will face off against No. 11 Texas Tech at home the same day.
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