Jan. 6, 2007
BROOKINGS, S.D. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Sophomore guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) matched a career-high with 26 points to lift the UCF men's basketball team to a 72-61 win at South Dakota State at Frost Arena on Saturday evening. In the win, senior forward Lavell Payne (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard) recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 12 boards.
The contest marked UCF's (11-3) final non-conference game of the year. The Jackrabbits (4-12) cut UCF's lead to six with 2:41 to play, but junior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo) responded with a jumper and then a 3-pointer to put the game out of reach.
"We did some good things in the ballgame," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "I was disappointed that we let them stay in the game. At the end when we needed it, our offensive execution was good and I am pleased with that."
Taylor had 17 points in the second half. The Golden Knights led 34-28 at intermission, but Taylor helped the Golden Knights build a 14-point advantage five minutes into the final stanza with a personal 8-0 run. He started the stretch with a layup and then canned treys on back-to-back possessions to give UCF a 48-34 edge.
Taylor made 6-of-10 shots from deep and was 9-of-14 from the field. O'Donnell had 12 of his 14 points after halftime. Payne grabbed five boards on the offensive end and his 12 rebounds were a career-high.
UCF shot 47.4 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range. The Golden Knights were playing the second contest of four-straight games on the road.
Garrett Callahan, who was 6-of-18 from the floor, led the hosts with 21 points. Matt Cadwell added 14 points. South Dakota State shot 40.4 percent overall, but just 20 percent (3-for-15) from 3-point range.
UCF opens Conference USA play on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at UAB. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. Eastern and the game will be televised live regionally on CSS.
The squad's next home game is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 17 versus SMU at the UCF Arena 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.