Feb. 20, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Junior guard Jermaine Taylor (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) recorded a game-high 23 points and senior guard Mike O'Donnell (Largo, Fla./Largo) added 22 points as the UCF men's basketball team eased to a 110-75 Conference USA win over East Carolina on Wednesday evening at the new UCF Arena. The Knights (14-11, 7-4 C-USA) shot 61.2 percent from the floor in the victory.
UCF 15 3-pointers in the win over ECU (8-16, 2-9), falling one shy of tying the school record, while it collected at least 110 points in a game for the first time since 1991. The 110 points were good for third on the school's Division I single-game register.
The Knights led by as many as 18 in the first half when O'Donnell drained one of his six triples to help the hosts cruise out to a 42-24 cushion with 4:40 remaining.
For the game, UCF shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from deep and dished out 25 assists.
"I thought we had great unselfishness and moved the basketball well," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "Offensively, it was a great shooting night for us. It was nice that guys were able to have games that will give them confidence moving forward."
UCF has five regular-season contests remaining.
After taking a 50-35 lead into the break, UCF continued to roll in the second half, using an 11-0 run to secure a 75-50 margin as it eased to the victory.
Senior guard Dave Noel (Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach) finished with 14 points for the Knights, and senior guards Chip Cartwright (Houston, Texas/Phillis Wheatley) and Mike Battle (Waldorf, Md./Southern Maryland Christian) also posted double-digit totals with 10 points apiece.
John Fields came off the bench to pace ECU with 22 points, and Cory Farmer added 11 for the Pirates.
UCF finished with a 41-22 advantage on the glass as Taylor led all players with seven boards. Noel recorded seven assists in the winning effort.
The Knights were playing at home for the first time since Feb. 6.
UCF returns to the hardwood on Saturday, facing Marshall in Huntington, W.Va. The squad's next game in Orlando is Feb. 27 against Tulane.
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.