Nov. 21, 2013
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By Doug Richards
UCFKnights.com
Box Score in PDF Format CORAL GABLES, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Add another victory to the list of impressive in-state wins for the UCF men's basketball program under Donnie Jones. Playing on the road for the first time this season, the Knights topped Miami, 63-58, Thursday at the BankUnited Center.
Calvin Newell scored 19 points to lead the Knights (3-1), who built a double-digit second-half advantage and then held off a late rally by the Hurricanes (3-2).
Now in his fourth year at UCF, Jones had already led the Knights to triumphs over No. 16 Florida, Miami and a pair of wins over cross-state rival USF. The win was the first in five tries all-time for the Knights at Miami and just their second in 26 contests against an ACC program.
UCF led by nine points with 8:20 to play, but Miami refused to go away and got within a point with 54 seconds on the clock. After UCF's Daiquan Walker made a free throw, the Knights got a defensive stop. Kasey Wilson then added another foul shot and after a turnover by the hosts, the forward streaked alone down the court for a slam dunk off a great feed from Walker to give UCF a 5-point edge with 22 seconds left and seal the victory for the Knights.
"I thought it was a great team victory," Jones said. "We played terrific defense against a very well-coached team. Offensively, we did a much better job since our Florida State game. I thought our team has gotten better in practice. We are really starting to share the ball."
Newell was one of four Knights who finished with double digits in scoring against the defending ACC champions. Wilson totaled 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, Isaiah Sykes added 11 points and Tristan Spurlock had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 boards.
After two quick baskets from Newell, UCF led 34-23 early in the second half. Miami knocked down some triples and got within four before Sykes had an incredible crossover, spin move and basket as he was fouled at the 15:47 mark. His bucket gave the Knights a 37-31 edge.
The Knights shot 44.1 percent for the contest and finished with a rebounding edge for the fourth time in as many outings this year (43-36).
UCF had a sluggish start to the game, but got things rolling with some solid ball movement midway through the first half. Newell scored a few buckets and then after a steal, found an open Spurlock for a fastbreak and-1 layup at the 8:42 mark that gave the Knights a 17-13 edge. Spurlock and Wilson later hit 3-pointers and the Knights took a 28-21 lead in the break.
The contest was the first of three straight on the road for the Knights, who were playing in Miami-Dade County for the first time since 2000. UCF was facing an ACC program for the second time in only four games this season.
"I am really proud of our team tonight. It is hard to get victories on the road, period," Jones said. "To come in here and get this win was really great for our program."
Miami shot 39.0 percent overall and was led by Garrius Adams' 20 points.
UCF will return to action Tuesday in Indiana against Valparaiso.