ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF men's basketball team, coming off of a road win at UMass, returns home Saturday to play host to visiting Maryland Eastern Shore at CFE Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN3.
The Knights (6-1) have won three in a row and are off to their best start since opening up 14-0 during the 2010-11 season. UCF's only loss was to now No. 1 Villanova in the championship game of the Gildan Charleston Classic back on Nov. 20.
Most recently, the Knights knocked off UMass 65-62 in Amherst on a last second three-pointer by senior Nick Banyard. Banyard scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory, while senior Tank Efianayi led all scorers with a career high 24 points.
It's been on the defensive end that the Knights have found the most success, holding opponents to a nation-best 30.8 percent from the field and allowing just 54.6 points per game. UCF trails only Virginia in the NCAA rankings for scoring defense.
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-8) will attempt to make its way through the staunch UCF defense on Saturday after dropping its eighth game of the season on Wednesday. The Hawks lost to Virginia Tech 75-59 in Blacksburg.
This will be the third meeting between UCF and Maryland Eastern Shore, but just the first since 1987 when the Knights prevailed 100-70 in Orlando. The first meeting between the two teams was a 70-58 UCF victory in January of 1985.
Ari Shanok and former UCF standout Mike O'Donnell will have the call with online coverage on WatchESPN.com and mobile availability on the ESPN app. Fans can also listen to the game with UCF Director of Broadcasting Marc Daniels and Taylor Young calling the action on FM 96.9 The Game and the iHeart Radio app.
PROMOTIONS
- First 600 fans receive UCF Santa Hat
- First 100 fans to donate a toy will receive the December Knightro Bobblehead
- Double Header – Attend the women's basketball game for free at 2pm with the purchase of a men's basketball ticket
- Anytime tickets – Purchase an anytime ticket to and receive a December Bobblehead
- Light up UCF Combo– Attend the basketball game and skate the night away at Light Up UCF for only $12! This package comes with one game ticket and one admission to Light Up UCF. This ticket promotion is available for home men's basketball games from Nov. 26 – Jan. 3. Use promo code LIGHTUP to purchase. https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/ucf/EN/promotion/home
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PURCHASE TICKETS
Purchase season tickets for the 2016 UCF Men's Basketball campaign now. Call 407-UCF-1000 or click here to guarantee your seats for head coach Johnny Dawkins' first season with the Knights.
PARKING INFORMATION
Both West Plaza Drive and East Plaza Drive will be closed off for Saturday's game. Fans looking to park in Garage F are encouraged to enter by way of McCulloch Road.