After a difficult in-state matchup its last time out, UCF will stay in Florida and face Florida Atlantic for its nonconference finale on Tuesday afternoon in neutral-site Lake Buena Vista.
The Knights (10-1) have won nine straight games, but earning that 10th win was hard to do Saturday at home against Florida Gulf Coast.
UCF was tied with the ASUN school 49-all at the half before coach Johnny Dawkins’ Knights blew out the Dunk City crew 102-80, using a 53-point outburst over the final 20 minutes.
The hot-shooting Eagles knocked down 9 of 11 3-pointers in the first half to take an eight-point lead that the Knights erased before the break.
“Me and Devan (Cambridge) have been in college a long time and I know for myself I don’t think I’ve played against a team that went 9 for 11,” UCF point guard Themus Fulks said.
Dawkins said his club had to hunker down and find an answer.
“It’s tough to beat a team that’s red hot, and I thought our guys did a good job of giving us a chance to win,” Dawkins said. “You have to dig down real deep and find something in you in order to change that (shooting) outcome.”
UCF did its part on offense: It set a school record for 3-pointers in a game by hitting 19 of 35 (54.3%) from outside the arc.
Jordan Burks scored a career-high 23 points and leads the Knights with 13.7 per game. Meanwhile, former team scoring leader Riley Kugel is down to 13.3 after totaling just 22 in his past four outings and going scoreless twice.
Winners of three of their past four games, the Owls (8-4) lost at Saint Mary’s 88-75 Friday night in California and will try to rebound Tuesday.
They will likely need a strong game from redshirt sophomore standout Devin Vanterpool.
Vanterpool has had a breakout season early on, topping the squad with 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals while clicking on 34.8% (24 of 69) from long range.
While Vanterpool said he has worked doggedly in the gym improving his shot, he feels his knowledge of the game is his best improvement.
“The biggest aspect is probably my IQ, just like getting a feel for the game really and being able to put it out and play out on the court,” he said.
