Nov. 15, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Sophomore guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares HS) scored a career-high 26 points and junior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo HS) recorded 25 points to lift the UCF men's basketball team to an 83-80 overtime victory over cross-town foe Rollins in the season opener for both teams at the UCF Arena on Wednesday evening. O'Donnell scored eight points in the overtime session.
Following a pair of O'Donnell free throws with 10 seconds remaining in the extra period, the Tars (0-1) had a chance to tie the game, but Deon Troupe's 3-pointer at the buzzer was long. The Golden Knights (1-0) made all four of their field goals in the extra session, including two treys from O'Donnell and one from Taylor.
The contest was played in front of 2,886 fans, the ninth-largest crowd in UCF Arena history.
"Rollins is a very good team," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "We knew it would be tough to score on them and we knew they would be tough to guard. I was pleased that we kept our composure when things were going against us. I thought we come up with big stops when we needed them late in the game and in overtime."
Rollins led by five with 1:09 to play in regulation, but the hosts responded. O'Donnell hit a quick three and then junior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach HS) stripped Isaac Codrey near the Tars' basket and raced up the court for the layup. Noel was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw. O'Donnell missed a 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
O'Donnell was 7-of-12 from deep. The seven treys are good for second on UCF's single-game register. Taylor hit a career-best six triples. The Golden Knights 15 3-pointers are the second-most in a contest in program history.
UCF led 37-36 at halftime. The Golden Knights shot 46.8 percent overall and 45.5 percent from deep. The teams combined for 29 made triples.
Noel recorded nine points and three steals. Senior forwards Josh Peppers (Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS) and Lavell Payne (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard HS) both registered nine points in the victory.
Craig Reichel paced Rollins with 24 points. He hit four treys. Troupe also canned four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points. The Tars shot 50.9 percent overall and 42.4 percent from 3-point range.
UCF returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 18, hosting local rival Stetson. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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