ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF men's basketball team will close out 2017 with a New Year's Eve bout at ECU. Tipoff between the Knights (9-4, 0-1) and the Pirates (6-6, 0-1) is slated for 4 p.m. on ESPNews from Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
UCF is looking to rebound after dropping its American Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday at SMU. The Knights held the defending league champs to 20 points below their season average, but could not pick up the road win, falling 56-51. Dayon Griffin and A.J. Davis led the way for UCF with 12 points apiece.
Prior to the SMU game, the Knights had won their last five contests, including a 65-62 win over then No. 24 Alabama. The Black and Gold held opponents to 58.8 points per game during the stretch.
ECU enters the contest after losing its first game in league play at Tulsa on Thursday, 79-53. Before that, the Pirates won four of their last five, including victories over Grambling, Campbell, Delaware State and UNCW.
The Knights and the Pirates will meet for the 28th time in history. The Black and Gold holds a strong advantage in games played in Greenville, winning 8-of-12 all-time, including the last two at Minges Coliseum.
GAME INFO
Date: Sunday, December 31
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNews
Radio: 96.9 FM/740 AM The Game
Live Stats: www.ecupirates.com
NOTES TO KNOW
• UCF holds a healthy 18-9 lead in the series history against the Pirates.
• The Knights can extend their winning streak against ECU to five games with a victory.
• The Black and Gold ranks second in The American in field goal percentage defense, allowing 38.1-percent this season.
• Tacko Fall continues to lead the nation in field goal percentage at 77.9-percent. He is tied with Temple's Obi Enechionyia at the top of The American with two blocks per game.
• A.J. Davis tops the league in rebounds with nine boards per game.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE GAME NOTES – ECU
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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