UCF Denies Memphis in Double Overtime

Coming off back-to-back wins, the UCF Knights Mens Basketball program hosted the Memphis Tigers Wednesday night at Addition Financial Arena. UCF entered with a 12-4 overall record 3-1 in American Athletic Athletic Conference and Memphis arrived with a 12-4 overall record 2-1 in AAC. Both teams have played very impressive basketball thus far showing they can hold their own against quality ranked teams.

The Knights rallied from a 14 point deficit in the second half and Ithiel Horton sent the game into overtime with a last minute three pointer. The Knights hung on through double overtime to get a 107-104 win over Memphis.

UCF had Memphis on the ropes early, jumping out to a 13 point lead in the first half, only to have the Tigers create a 27 point swing as they picked up a 14 point lead in the second half. Despite the 42 point effort from Memphis guard, Kendric Davis, UCF was able to rally from the 14 point deficit and forced overtime with Ithiel Horton’s last minute three pointer. The 211 points scored between the two teams was the most in a single game in American Conference history and Kendric Davis’ 42 point performance was 1 point shy of the single game American Conference record.

Ithiel Horton led the Knights with 30 points, while C.J. Kelly made a major impact with 21 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Brandon Suggs and Taylor Hendricks had solid games as well, with Suggs recording 17 points and 6 rebounds, and Hendricks putting up 12 points with 6 rebounds.

Ty Freeman and P.J. Edwards were big contributors off the bench. To go along with his contributions on the defensive end, Freeman put up 8 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds. Edwards scored 8 points, while scoring timely baskets throughout both overtimes.

In the win, UCF improves to 13-4 overall 4-1 AAC and will travel to New Orleans, LA to face Tulane on Saturday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. Memphis falls to 12-5 overall 2-2 AAC and will look to regroup away game against Temple on Sunday, January 15 at 3:00p.m.

STATS

ATTENDANCE: 6,812

UCF: 107 pts, 29-69 2-PT, 16-35 3-PT, 33-37 FT, 41 rebs(17 off, 24 def), 19 assists, 18 TO, 4 steals, 15 pts fast break, 19 pts off TO

Memphis: 104 pts, 35-69 2-PT, 6-18 3-PT, 28-31 FT, 36 rebs(11 off, 25 off), 14 assists, 14 TO, 7 steals, 24 pts fast break, 26 pts off TO

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

UCF: I. Horton 30 pts 5/10 3-PT, CJ Kelly 21 pts 7 assists 5 rebs, B. Suggs 17 pts 6 rebs, T. Hendricks 12 pts 6 rebs 2 blocks

Memphis: K. Davis 42 pts 5 rebs 4 assist 21-23 FT, E. McCadden 18 pts 7 rebs, K. Kennedy 14 pts, D. Williams 10 pts 5 rebs