Forward Jamichael Stillwell returned after missing the last game against Iowa State and was one of UCF’s five double-digit scorers with 15 points and seven rebounds, helping the UCF Knights (15-4, 4-3
Big 12) past the Colorado Buffaloes 95-86 Saturday in Boulder.
After a close first half that saw both offenses shoot at least 60% from the field, the Knights made the necessary adjustments at halftime and held Colorado to just 41% in the second. The Buffaloes were unable to match UCF’s defense, and the Knights carried their 60% from the field to the end of the game.
Guard Riley Kugel played just nine minutes in the first half due to early foul trouble, finishing with five points at the break. But Kugel came out of the locker room firing, finishing with 22 points, and was the Knights’ leading scorer for the seventh time this season.
Kugel’s most crucial bucket came with just over two minutes left in the game and less than a second on the shot clock. Knowing he needed to get the ball out quickly, Kugel caught the ball on the right wing and immediately heaved it toward the basket, nailing it off the backboard. The bucket gave the Knights more breathing room after holding only a two-possession lead before the make.
UCF’s bench was productive in Kugel’s absence, scoring 30 points for the first time since January 6th against Oklahoma State. Forward Devan Cambridge and guards Carmelo Pacheco and Chris Johnson were the only three players to come off the bench, all hitting at least two threes.
UCF will now return to home court in Orlando and turn its attention to Arizona State on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Sitting at seventh in the Big 12, the Knights will look to claim their fifth conference win against the Sun Devils who have just one conference win.
