TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) – Powered by a huge surge in the second half, the UCF men's basketball team knocked off the No. 24 ranked Crimson Tide, 65-62, on Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum. The Knights outrebounded the hosts 21-8 over the final 20 minutes to seal their first true road win over a ranked opponent in program history.
"I was really proud of how our guys kept competing in the first half, even down by 11, and we gave ourselves a chance to win," head coach Johnny Dawkins said. "The stuff we've been working on offensively was something that we could improve. Guys really stepped up and executed today. They played with a lot of poise."
The victory was the Knights' (5-3) fifth over a ranked opponent in program history. UCF also tallied its second win over a team from the SEC in the last two years and fourth ever, but it did not come easy for the Black and Gold against the Tide (6-2).
The Knights trailed by as many as 11 in the first half, but managed to cut it down to six just before the half. Out of the break, Djordjije Mumin struck for five straight points to make it a three-point game, before Ceasar DeJesus buried a three-pointer to tie it up.
Five minutes later, Terrell Allen drilled a mid-range jumper to give the Knights a lead they would never relinquish.
Alabama stormed back from down nine to tie the game with 53 seconds to play. A.J. Davis went to the line with 25 seconds remaining and went 1-of-2. On the ensuing Alabama possession, Allen stripped a driving Dazon Ingram. The redshirt sophomore then hit an open Dayon Griffin on the break to give the Knights a three-point lead.
The Crimson Tide had one last opportunity to tie the game with 2.8 seconds left, but swarming defense by Davis forced a contested shot that clanked off the rim.
Allen led the way offensively with a season-high 16 points and eight assists. Mumin and Griffin joined him in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively.
DEFENSE LOCKS DOWN
• The Knights stepped up on defense when they needed it most on Sunday.
• Alabama guard Collin Sexton came into the game ranked fifth in the nation in points per game at 24.7, but a smothering UCF defense held the Crimson Tide shooter without a bucket from the field and just seven points at the line.
• UCF also stopped the Crimson Tide from driving in the lane in the second half, surrendering just 14 points in the paint.
"Collin is a great player. I've seen him in high school to now, and he's only gotten better. I don't think you can ever really stop a player like Collin. What you can do is hope to contain him. We did a great job of containing him. Guys knew where he was on the floor at all times. I think A.J. Davis did a great job with that assignment, but it was really a team effort." – Coach Dawkins
CONNECTING FROM DEEP
• The Knights hit a season-high seven three-pointers.
• Mumin drained a career-best three from long range.
• Griffin added a pair, while Allen and DeJesus also hit from the outside.
• UCF was 43.1 percent from downtown on Sunday.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return to CFE Arena next Saturday to face Southern at 1 p.m.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now. Fans looking to purchase tickets can call (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFKnights.com to secure them today. For men's basketball tickets CLICK HERE.
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