Dec. 7, 2013
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By Doug Richards
UCFKnights.com
Box Score in PDF Format ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - A big second half helped the UCF men's basketball team post a 77-58 victory over Stetson Saturday at CFE Arena, giving the Knights their 14th-straight win over the Hatters. Four Knights (4-3) finished with double figures in scoring, led by Tristan Spurlock's game-high 21 points.
After taking a five-point edge into intermission, UCF outscored Stetson (1-10) 38-24 after the break. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Knights, who shot 57.1 percent overall and finished with a 41-24 edge on the glass.
"It was huge," UCF head coach Donnie Jones said of returning home with a win. "We came off the big road swing. We are still trying to find out who we are identity wise. You have to go through adversity for that to happen. Our focus has been good in practice. It was nice to see them get rewarded with a win."
The contest started a seven-game homestand for the Knights. The stretch will end with UCF's first two American Athletic Conference games, against defending national champion Louisville on New Year's Eve and Temple on Jan. 4.
UCF used a 14-0 run midway through the second half to pull away from the Hatters. Brandon Goodwin, who came off the bench to record a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards, both career highs for the freshman, had four points during the spurt, which Spurlock capped with a triple at the 9:40 mark that gave the hosts a 17-point edge.
Isaiah Sykes added 17 points in the win. He scored 11 of his points after intermission. Calvin Newell totaled 13 points for the Knights.
"It is always good to get that win, get over that hump," Sykes said. "We had some adversity. We are just in the process of fighting through it and continuing to grind."
Brian Pegg led the Hatters with 13 points. Stetson shot 50.0 percent in the opening half, but made just 32.0 percent of its tries in the second stanza.
UCF was playing at home for the first time since Nov. 17. The Knights will return to action Wednesday, hosting Howard at 7 p.m.