Jan. 25, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Dan Forcella
UCFKnights.com
Box Score (pdf) | Box Score (html) | Social Media Recap
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Cincinnati held the UCF men's basketball team to its second lowest scoring output of the season, winning 56-46 at CFE Arena Sunday. Senior Kasey Wilson led the Knights with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the defeat.
"It was a hard fought game by our team," head coach Donnie Jones said. "I thought we competed. The one thing I've been happy about with this team, especially the last two games, is that we've put ourselves in a position to have a chance against two very good programs. The thing we have to do now is take the next step."
Back-to-back runners in the lane by freshman B.J. Taylor and sophomore Brandon Goodwin put the Knights (9-10, 2-6) up 10-8 six and a half minutes into the game and UCF led until a three-pointer by Quadri Moore gave Cincinnati a 21-19 lead with 7:01 to play in the first half.
The triple was part of an 11-0 run by the Bearcats (14-5, 5-2) that culminated with a driving layin by Shaq Thomas to make it 25-19 with just 2:31 to play in the frame. Wilson stopped the run with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer by junior Daiquan Walker cut into the deficit more, bringing the Knights within five at the break, 29-24.
UCF came out in the second half and kept the Cincinnati advantage to single digits until the very end. The Knights got to within three points twice - layups by Goodwin at 9:13 and 7:40 made the score 42-39 and 44-41, respectively.
A difficult drive on the baseline by Wilson and Walker's third three of the game cut it back to four, at 50-46, with just 4:38 to play, but that's as close as UCF would get. The Knights continued to get stops, but couldn't convert on the offensive end.
Neither team could change the tides as UCF and Cincinnati came up empty on five straight possessions each and the Bearcats' four-point lead stood until free throws increased the advantage to six with just 36 seconds left. Four more to end the game gave Cincinnati the 56-46 victory.
WILSON STEPS UP WITH 12 POINTS, 11 BOARDS
Wilson played his best game of the season against one of the best defensive teams in the country. The senior recorded his second double-double of the season and the fifth of his career, leading the Knights with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
- The 11 boards tied a career high for the North Port, Fla. native.
- His other double-double in 2014-15 was in a win over USC Upstate.
- It was just Wilson's third game this season with double figure rebounds.
"We've really been stressing that effort that we got from him tonight. That's what we've been looking for. He continues each game to make strides."
- Donnie Jones
"It's about rebounding every play on the offensive and defensive glass. Everything else follows after that. That's just what I was trying to do tonight. I just try to play hard so they'll follow, and they did."
- Kasey Wilson
KNIGHTS UNABLE TO PENETRATE CINCINNATI DEFENSE
- The Bearcats' matchup zone gave UCF fits at times on offense.
- UCF's 46 points were its second lowest output only to the team's 41 against FAU.
- The Knights shot .327 from the floor and .235 from beyond the arc.
- Cincinnati is tied for the longest streak of holding opponents under 70 points in the nation (23 straight games).
- The Bearcats came in leading the league in scoring defense at just 55.0 points per game.
"Cincinnati is a good basketball team. There's a reason why they're one of the top defensive teams in the country. It's a hard atmosphere to create in practice."
- Donnie Jones
TAYLOR MISSES SECOND HALF
The Knights were forced to play the entire second half without their leading scorer. Taylor was hit on the head in the first half and sat for precautionary reasons for the remainder of the game. The remainder of UCF's scholarship guards - Goodwin, Walker, and Adonys Henriquez - played 38, 32, and 35 minutes, respectively.
Without Taylor, who leads the Knights in free throws made and is second on the team in free throw attempts, UCF was unable to make their way to the charity stripe against the Bearcats. The Knights' nine attempts at the line were their lowest mark of the season.
POSTGAME AUDIO
Head Coach Donnie Jones
Kasey Wilson, Daiquan Walker
NEXT UP FOR THE KNIGHTS
UCF will remain at home for its next game. The Knights host Temple Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will air on CBS Sports Network and the UCF IMG Sports Network.