Nov. 27, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior forward Josh Peppers (Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven HS) scored 24 points in only 22 minutes as the UCF men's basketball team eased to a 99-62 non-league victory over Jacksonville on Monday evening at the UCF Arena. The Golden Knights, who are now 5-0 for the first time since the 1993-94 season, shot 65.4 percent from the field for the contest.
UCF led by 14 at halftime and then started the second period with a 25-4 run. Peppers had 10 points during the spurt as the Dolphins (3-3) went cold offensively. UCF forced five Jacksonville turnovers in the first three minutes of the second half.
"I thought we did some things well. I was more impressed with our defense than our offense," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "We were more consistent at that end of the floor, especially at the beginning of the second half.
Peppers was 9-of-13 from the field and made 6-of-8 from 3-point range. UCF connected on 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from deep.
Peppers was one of four Golden Knights to record double-digits in scoring. Freshman forward Tony Davis (Sarasota, Fla./Riverview HS) was 5-of-6 from the field on his way to a season-best 14 points. He added seven boards in 24 minutes.
Sophomore guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares HS) came off of the bench to score 12 points. In addition to two blocks, junior center Stanley Billings (Orlando, Fla./Oak Ridge HS) had a season-high 10 points in 14 minutes.
UCF held a 33-16 edge on the glass and scored 42 points in the paint. The Golden Knights' reserves accounted for 57 points.
The Dolphins shot 45.5 percent for the game, but committed 19 turnovers. Ben Smith led Jacksonville with 14 points in 37 minutes and Marcus Allen added 13 points.
After a break for final exams, UCF will return to action at home on Dec. 9, hosting Florida Atlantic at 7:30 p.m. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.