Feb. 17, 2007
HOUSTON (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior forward Josh Peppers (Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven) scored a game-high 18 points and UCF connected on 17 second-half free throws as the Golden Knights posted a 74-63 Conference USA victory over Rice at Autry Court on Saturday evening. UCF improved to 19-7 overall and 8-4 in C-USA play.
The Golden Knights limited Rice's (13-12, 7-5) Morris Almond to only 13 points, including just two after intermission. Almond entered the contest third nationally, averaging 27.8 points and was held in check by UCF junior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach). Noel finished with 16 points. He made all 10 of his free-throw attempts in the second half and went 11-of-12 at the line for the game.
"Morris is an unbelievable player. He is one of the best in America," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "Dave made it very difficult for him to get the ball and get good looks."
The hosts got within five points with 9:32 remaining in the second half, but Noel was then fouled and Rice head coach Willis Wilson was whistled for a technical foul. Noel connected on all four shots and the Owls would get no closer than seven points the rest of the game.
UCF made 16-straight free throws to conclude the second half and shot 24-of-31 (77.4 percent) at the charity stripe for the contest.
Payne registered 16 points and was one of four Golden Knights who finished with six rebounds. Peppers drained three 3-pointers as UCF shot 54.5 percent from deep. UCF held a 37-22 advantage on the glass.
The Golden Knights led 41-31 at halftime after using a 20-6 run midway through the opening period to pull away. Payne had 10 points, including a triple, during the spurt.
The contest concluded a two-game road swing for the Golden Knights.
Almond shot 3-of-13 overall and just 1-of-4 from behind-the-arc. Lorenzo Williams paced Rice with 16. The Owls shot 47.1 percent from the floor, but just 3-of-17 (17.6 percent) from deep.
UCF returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, hosting Southern Miss. Tip-off at the UCF Arena is set for 8 p.m. and the contest will be televised live nationally on CSTV.
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