Jan. 24, 2007
HOUSTON (www.ucfathletics.com) - A career-high 26 points from UCF senior forward Lavell Payne (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard) was spoiled as Houston overcame a 22-point second-half deficit to post a 73-70 Conference USA victory in overtime over the Golden Knights on Wednesday evening at Hofheinz Pavilion. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Golden Knights (14-5, 3-2 C-USA).
UCF had a chance to send the game into a second overtime, but sophomore guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) missed a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining. The Golden Knights led 35-15 at halftime, but the Cougars outscored UCF 49-29 in the second half.
"Our guys have to understand that it is a 40-minute game," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "We need somebody with a little poise and leadership to take control. We've got to find some people who can execute in tough situations. When we have a lead, we need to put the hammer down."
In overtime, Taylor tied the game at 68 with a trey at the 1:21 mark. On the Cougars' next possession, Marcus Malone nailed a triple from the corner to put the hosts up by three. Freshman forward Tony Davis (Sarasota, Fla./Riverview) then scored inside after grabbing a rebound off of a Taylor 3-pointer. UCF quickly fouled and Oliver Lafayette made a pair of foul shots to push Houston's advantage to three points.
UCF shot 52.2 percent in the opening stanza. The Golden Knights used a successful press to close the half with an 18-4 run. After Robert McKiver hit one of his six 3-pointers with 6:59 to play in the first half, UCF's press forced turnovers on four-consecutive Houston possessions. Junior guard Mike Battle (Waldorf, Md./Southern Maryland Christian Academy) had a pair of steals during the stretch.
McKiver totaled a game-high 36 points in the win. Twenty-five of his points came after intermission. McKiver scored 20 points as the Cougars outscored UCF 39-17 in the last 12 minutes of regulation. The Golden Knights turned the ball over 13 times in the second half and had 24 turnovers in the game.
Taylor finished with 12 points for UCF. Junior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach) added 11 points. Payne went 13-of-16 at the free-throw line. The 13 foul shots are good for fifth on UCF's single-game register.
The Golden Knights shot 46.5 percent overall for the game, but just 21.1 percent from 3-point range. UCF made 26-of-31 (83.9 percent) of its free-throw attempts.
Houston shot 48.3 percent in the second half and 38.2 percent overall. Dion Dowell was the other Cougar to finish with double-digits in points as he recorded 12.
The Golden Knights conclude a two-game road swing on Saturday, facing UTEP in El Paso. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. Eastern and the contest will be televised live nationally on CSTV. UCF's next home game is set for Wednesday, Jan. 31 against No. 11 Memphis.
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