Coming off a huge win over No. 3 Kansas in their Big 12 home opener, UCF hosted No. 18 BYU, attempting to win back-to-back top-25 matchups for the first time since 2019. The Knights fell short to the Cougars in a closely contested 63-58 loss.

Once again, the Knights defense stepped up big-time, holding BYU, one of the best offensive teams in the country, to 24 points under their season average, of 87.1 ppg. 

On the offensive end, the Knights struggled, shooting just 29.3% from the field and 16.7% from three. UCF also struggled from the free throw line, going 21-33. 

UCF did what they needed to do on the defensive end, handicapping one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Knights out-rebounded the Cougars, especially on the offensive glass, winning the battle 17-6. UCF also won the turnover battle, but ultimately the Knights just weren’t able to knock down enough shots to get the job done. 

Ibrahima Diallo had another great game, scoring 11 points while also grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds and adding 2 blocks.

Darius Johnson recorded a game-high, 18 points, with 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. 

The Cougars’ win over UCF was their first Big 12 conference win.

Up Next:

UCF: @ No. 25 Texas on Wednesday, January 17th

STATS

ATTENDANCE: 9,137

UCF: 58pts, 17-58 2-PT 29.3%, 3-18 3-PT 16.7%, 21-33 FT 63.6%, 44 rebs(17 off, 27 def), 6 assists, 11 TO, 8 steals, 9 pts fast break, 12 pts off TO, 22 pts in paint

BYU: 63 pts, 21-52 2-PT 40.4%, 9-26 3-PT 34.6%, 12-17 FT, 38 rebs(6 off, 32 def), 12 assists, 13 TO, 3 steals, 5 pts fast break, 8 pts off TO, 22 pts in paint

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

UCF: D. Johnson 18 pts, I. Diallo 11pts 19reb 2blks, J. Sellers 13pts, CJ Walker 9pts 8rebs

BYU: A. Kalifa 17pts 2blks, T. Knell 14pts 6rebs, S. Johnson 12pts 5rebs

Photo credit: (cover)Sean Russell; (gallery) Brianna Russell & Sean Russell