UCF traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to take on SMU in the opening round of the AAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. The Knights stormed back from a 13 point deficit, coming away with a 76-70 win over SMU.

UCF got off to a slow start, falling down to as much as 13 points with 9:04 remaining in the 1st half, and headed into halftime down 36-28.

The Knights flipped the switch in the second half, regaining the lead with 10:21 remaining in the game. UCF improved their field goal percentage from 34.3% in the first half to 61.5% in the second half, while outscoring SMU 48-34 in the half.

C.J. Kelly was a key contributor to the Knights’ comeback as the team’s leading scorer. Kelly put up 21 points and recorded 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Kelly hit big shots throughout the game and assisted Ithiel Horton with a three pointer to put the Knights up 72-68 with just over a minute remaining. 

Ithiel Horton and Taylor Hendricks were major contributors, scoring in double digits as well. Horton scored 15 points and Hendricks fell just short of a double-double, putting up 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. 

With the win, the Knights advance to the AAC Championship Tournament Quarterfinal, where they will face No. 2 Memphis at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Photo credit: Sean Russell/FAAZ Sports