Feb. 21, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Gary Johnson scored a season-high 25 points, including 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute, as UCF held off pesky South Dakota State 82-72 in a non-conference game Monday night.
UCF (19-8) won its third straight game and seventh in its last eight outings.
The Knights at one point led lead 75-62 but the Jackrabbits (9-18) cut their deficit to 78-72 on a three-pointer by Steve Holdren with 31.6 seconds left.
Johnson sealed the victory with four free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Josh Peppers finished with 15 points and Anthony Williams added 10 points, six rebounds and six blocked shots for the Knights.
Ben Beran led South Dakota State with 20 points. Holdren finished with 19 points and seven rebounds.
UCF outscored South Dakota State 24-3 from three-point range in the first half, but the Jackrabbits led 24-22 until Johnson and Justin Rose hit consecutive three-pointers. The Knights never trailed thereafter, leading 37-30 at the half.