Feb. 29, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF will have to wait another season to record a series sweep of Memphis. After having defeated the Tigers in Orlando in January in a competitive contest, the Knights were doomed by turnovers and a tough shooting performance Tuesday in an 84-55 loss to Memphis at FedEx Forum.
The Tigers (22-8, 12-3 Conference USA) never trailed following the early stages of the game and led by as many as 38 points after intermission. UCF fell to 20-9 overall and 9-6 in the league with the loss.
The Knights topped Memphis 68-67 on Jan. 18 at the UCF Arena.
Memphis shot 58.9 percent overall for the game, compared to 38.8 percent for the Knights, who committed 18 turnovers.
Four Tigers finished with double digits in scoring, led by Will Barton with 18 points. Isaiah Sykes led the Knights with 13 points.
"We are very disappointed with our effort tonight," UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. "Memphis shot the ball incredibly well and played like a Memphis team typically does at home."
The Tigers shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the opening stanza and took a 33-18 edge into the break. UCF struggled offensively, shooting just 30.4 percent before intermission and committing 11 turnovers. Memphis scored 26 of its 33 first-half points in the paint.
Sykes played aggressively the whole game and made 5-of-11 attempts from the field. In the second half, he provided one of the few highlight-worthy plays of the evening for the Knights, throwing a vicious dunk over D.J. Stephens.
The game was played in front of 17,784 spectators. UCF will now close the regular season Saturday with a 7 p.m. contest against UAB at the UCF Arena. Prior to the contest, UCF will honor seniors P.J. Gaynor and A.J. Rompza.