Nov. 13, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
Box Score in PDF Format ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following its big win over cross-state rival USF in Tampa over the weekend, UCF returned home and took care of business in its home opener Tuesday. Behind strong performances from Isaiah Sykes and Keith Clanton, the Knights rolled to an 85-56 victory over Alabama State at the UCF Arena.
The Knights, who never trailed during the contest, improved to 2-0 on the year with the win.
Clanton recorded his second-straight double-double with 20 points and 11 boards, while Sykes scored a game-high 23 points to go with seven assists.
The Knights shot 65.5 percent overall and limited Alabama State (0-3) to a 36.5 percent shooting performance. UCF led 40-25 at the break and finished the contest with four of its players scoring in double figures.
"This was our first time in front of our home audience," UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. "I was really proud of our guys. They had great composure."
The Knights were coming off of an impressive 74-56 victory at cross-state rival USF Saturday. The Bulls won a pair of games in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
UCF built its lead to as many as 41 points late in the second half Tuesday. Clanton and Sykes combined to give Knight fans a huge highlight late in the final stanza when Clanton lobbed the ball off the backboard on a fastbreak and his teammate finished the play with an emphatic dunk. The play was the opposite of what occurred at USF, when Sykes found Clanton for a few breakaway dunks.
"He gave me one last game," Clanton joked after the game. "I told him if I had the chance, I would give him one too."
Clanton shot 9-of-10 from the floor and Sykes made 10-of-14 attempts. Kasey Wilson chipped in with 12 points and Tristan Spurlock added 10 points.
Luther Page led the Hornets with 11 points.
UCF was playing the first of a school-record 20 home games this season. The Knights will return to action Sunday when they host Savannah State at 2 p.m. The Tigers went 21-12 last year, claimed the MEAC regular-season title and earned a spot in the postseason NIT.