Nov. 11, 2007
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - History was made on Sunday as the UCF men's basketball team won its inaugural game inside the new UCF Arena, defeating national power Nevada, 63-60. Senior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach) and junior forward Kenrick Zondervan (Hoffddorp, Holland) both recorded 14 points for the Knights (1-0).
The Wolf Pack (0-1), who have made four-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, entered the game receiving votes in both national polls. Nevada had a chance to tie the game as time expired, but Marcelus Kemp's 3-pointer did not connect.
"I'm not sure that people in the southeastern part of the United States fully understand how good Nevada has been over the last five to six years. They are a great program," said UCF head coach Speraw. "For us to get this victory, I think that makes a statement about where this program is and where it's going."
UCF led by 11 points with 5:12 to play in the game after Zondervan hit a pair of free throws, but Nevada would not go away. When Kemp hit a jumper with three minutes remaining, the Knights' advantage was cut to three. Noel answered for UCF, draining a 3-pointer as the shot clock ran down on the ensuing possession.
The contest was played in front of 4,668 fans, good for the third-largest crowd in UCF history.
"It was a great ballgame and a great venue. The crowd really energized us late in the ballgame," said Speraw. "It was a great way to open the facility." A trey by junior guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) gave the hosts a 29-17 edge with 3:31 to play in the first half. The Wolf Pack responded, closing the period on a 9-4 run. Nevada's JaVale McGee drained a 3-pointer at the end of the half and the Knights led 35-31 at intermission.
The Knights' forced 18 Nevada turnovers for the game and scored 18 points off of those turnovers.
The 14 points for Zondervan were a career high. Senior guard Chip Cartwright (Houston, Texas/Phillis Wheatley) totaled 11 points in the win to go with a game-high six assists.
Noel grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, including four on the offensive end. Taylor finished with eight points and eight boards.
Defensively, Noel helped limit Kemp, a preseason candidate for the national player of the year award, to 8-of-22 shooting from the floor and a 1-of-8 showing from deep. Kemp finished with 19 points, but committed four turnovers. Armon Johnson chipped in with 13 points in the loss.
UCF shot 37.9 percent overall, 33.3 percent from deep and just 50 percent at the line. Nevada also struggled with its shooting, connecting at just a 41.8 percent clip overall and 31.6 percent from 3-point range.
The Knights return to action on Friday, hosting Norfolk State at 7 p.m.
Season tickets are currently available by calling 407-UCF-1000. One lucky season ticket holder will get to drive home from the new UCF Arena in a brand new 2008 UCF edition Mazda CX-9, courtesy of Classic Mazda, the presenting sponsor of this year's season ticket drive. UCF fans who purchase two season tickets will be automatically entered into a drawing to win the Mazda CX-9.
Single-game tickets are also available now at all Ticketmaster outlets and at the UCF ticket office at Bright House Networks Stadium.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.