ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF men's basketball team held in-state foe Stetson to just 22.1 percent shooting from the floor en route to the Knights' largest victory of the 2016-17 season, an 81-45 rout of the visiting Hatters at CFE Arena Wednesday night.
The Hatters (3-5), who came in scoring nearly 80 points per game and shooting over 44 percent from the floor, weren't able to get anything going against UCF's (5-1) stifling defense. Stetson was just 15-of-68 from the floor and 8-of-31 from beyond the arc.
"We really challenged our guys defensively out of respect for who they were," UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said. "They play an up-tempo style and we were able to get them out of [playing in] transition and make them more of a half court team, which is how we play. I'm really proud of our guys' effort."
The Knights came in ranked in the top five in the nation in both scoring defense and field goal percentage defense and those numbers are only going to improve after Wednesday night's impressive performance.
A 13-0 run late in the first half extended UCF's lead to 28-12 when sophomore Chad Brown connected on a traditional three-point play. The Knights took a 36-19 advantage into the break and never stepped off the gas, holding their largest lead of the game when the final buzzer sounded.
Sophomore B.J. Taylor led UCF in scoring for the second straight game and the third time this season, putting up 18 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Matt Williams added 16 points on 4-of-9 from three-point range and Tacko Fall chipped in with 12 points and nine boards.
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT FACTS FROM THE WIN
A.J. Davis made his first appearance of 2016-17 and led UCF with 11 rebounds
After missing the first five games of the season due to a hand injury, last year's leading scorer and rebounder, was back in the lineup against the Hatters. Davis scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds, the third double figure rebounding game of his career.
Coming off the bench, Davis contributed to the Knights' best bench performance of the season. UCF had 14 bench points in the first half and outscored Stetson 20-15 in points off the bench for the game.
"We've missed A.J. immensely. A.J. is our most versatile player. Even today, he played five positions for us. Toward the end of the first half he was the five man for us, which gives us a lot of flexibility. You can plug him in anyway, so we're excited to have him back." - Johnny Dawkins
The Knights outscored Stetson 34-2 in the paint
- UCF dominated the Hatters in the paint, outscoring them by a mark of 34-to-2.
- The ground and pound style of Dawkins' squad led to a 46.6 percent outing from the floor.
- Big men Fall and Brown both scored 12 points down low for the Knights.
"That's who we are. That's our game. Tacko is a heck of a post presence and Chad's developing into that for us as well. When you have that type of presence, you want to go inside. And then B.J. is a really good penetrator, so that's another way for us to get paint touches. I'm glad to see our guys understanding the value of getting the ball inside." - Johnny Dawkins
Chad Brown had a career night with 12 points and seven rebounds
- The sophomore from Deltona, Fla., recorded career highs in points and rebounds in the victory.
- Brown also added two blocked shots.
- His previous high in points was six earlier this season against Mississippi State.
- Brown was 6-of-8 from the free throw line.
"I love Chad because he is probably our most energized, enthusiastic player. We have some really good teammates, don't get me wrong, because they've all been terrific, but Chad's the most. It's really good when you see a young man who has that type of spirit, you love to see him have success." - Johnny Dawkins
COMING UP NEXT
The Knights will next hit the road on Friday for a Saturday matchup against UMass. UCF will challenge the Minutemen at 1 p.m. in Amherst, Mass.
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