Jan. 15, 2014
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By Andy Seeley
UCFKnights.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (UCFKnights.com) - Despite a career-best night from Isaiah Sykes, UCF (9-6, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) dropped an 85-75 decision to Rutgers (8-9, 2-2) Wednesday night at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
Sykes scored 29 points, but it wasn't enough to get the Knights past Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights shot 47 percent for the game. Meanwhile, the Knights were ice cold early in the game, shooting less than 20 percent for much of the first half.
"We didn't shoot very well tonight, but had some looks, UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. "We only shot just over 30 percent from the field and 20 percent on threes, but did hit a high number of free throws, which was good. Rutgers shot the ball really well tonight, especially from the three-point line. Give them credit, they played well."
UCF warmed up a bit late in the half to go into the locker room hitting at a 27-percent clip. Meanwhile, Rutgers converted on 40 percent of its first-half attempts and took a nine-point advantage at halftime, 35-26.
Both squads shot the ball much better in the second half. Rutgers, which converted 55 percent of its field-goal attempts in the second half, pushed its lead to as many as 13 points in the first four minutes of the second half. But a three-point play from Sykes sparked an 11-2 run for the Knights, pulling them back within four, 47-43, with 13:30 remaining. The Knights hit better than 46 percent from the field in the second half.
Over the next three minutes, Rutgers once again pushed its advantage back to 13. And once again, UCF came charging back. Matt Williams hit a three-pointer, as did Sykes, sparking a 16-6 outburst in favor of the Knights. When Sykes hit a pair of free throws with 6:15 remaining, UCF had cut its deficit to three, 68-65. But as the second free throw went through the net, UCF's Eugene McCrory was called for an untimely technical foul.
Rutgers converted on the two free throws off the technical and got a dunk from Wally Judge on the ensuingpossession. With just 13 seconds running off the clock, Rutgers pushed its advantage back to seven and UCF could not climb back within six again through the remainder of the contest.
We kept grinding, got some shots and had some good execution, Jones said of the Knights runs. Getting some buckets in transition also helped. We were able to get close, but they kept answering each time."
Sykes was 8-of-14 from the floor and 12-of-17 at the free-throw line to account for his 29-point effort. His previous career-best was 27 at Southern Miss on Feb. 11, 2012. He tacked on eight rebounds and dished out a pair of assists as well. McCrory was also in double figures, scoring 14, including eight free throws. Kasey Wilson scored 10 and grabbed eight rebounds.
"He played well and is our team leader, Jones said of Sykes. We need that kind of effort from him every night. That gives us a chance. We just have to get more out of some others, haven't gotten too much lately."
Myles Mack led the way for Rutgers, scoring 25 points, with 21 of them coming in the second half.
UCF is back in action again Saturday. The Knights host SMU Saturday at CFE Arena. Saturday's game will be Knights for Youth Day. In addition, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl trophy will be on display Saturday and available for fans to pose for photos.