Dec. 3, 2013
Final Stats
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By Doug Richards
UCFKnights.com
BOCA RATON, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's basketball team was hoping to enjoy more success during its second trip to south Florida this season. But despite a season-high 23 points from Isaiah Sykes, the Knights dropped a 75-64 contest to FAU Tuesday evening at FAU Arena.
The Owls (2-6), who faced tough early tests at Duke and Boston College, got 31 points from Pablo Bertone and only briefly trailed during the contest. FAU limited the Knights (3-3) to only 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) shooting from deep and UCF hurt itself by making just 11-of-28 (39.3 percent) of its tries at the free-throw line.
"You have to make free throws," UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. "When you shoot 3-for-19 against zone, you are going to have a hard time winning, whether it is at home or on the road. Give FAU credit. They've had some tough road games. They came back in focused tonight."
The game was the third of three straight on the road for the Knights. UCF, who was facing the Owls in Boca Raton for the first time since 2005, launched the road swing with a 63-58 victory at Miami on Nov. 21.
FAU led by 13 points with 8:46 to go, but Sykes kept the Knights in the contest. After a layup by Calvin Newell, who finished with 18 points, UCF cut the Owls' advantage to 63-57 with just under five minutes remaining. The Knights had the chance to cut the FAU edge to three on their following possession, but could get no closer the rest of the way.
Bertone scored 19 of his points in the second half. FAU shot 49.1 percent for the game and finished with a 46-36 advantage on the glass.
Sykes had 12 points in the first half, scoring in a variety of ways inside the paint. FAU dominated on the offensive boards and was able to take a 35-32 advantage into the break.
Sykes shot 11-of-17 from the field and also had seven rebounds and four steals in 35 minutes.
UCF will return to action Saturday, hosting Stetson at 7 p.m. at CFE Arena to open a seven-game homestand. The Knights have not played at home since Nov. 17.
"We need to keep building," Jones said. "We've played just six games. This team is not a finished product. We will continue to work. We've got some good pieces and we need to continue to get better."