TULSA, Okla. (UCFKnights.com) – B.J. Taylor scored a season high 26 points and became the 19th member of UCF's 1,000-Point Club, but the Knights were unable to overcome Tulsa's hot shooting night and fell 70-61 at the Reynolds Center Wednesday night.
"They were able to execute and pull away from us late in the game," UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said afterward. "Give them credit. They made some tough plays down the stretch."
With the score tied 53-53 with over seven minutes left in the game, Tulsa (17-10, 10-5) went on a 10-0 run to take a double digit lead with less than three minutes to play.
The Knights (17-10, 8-7) got within six points, when Taylor hit four straight free throws, but it wasn't enough. The Golden Hurricane held on for the nine-point victory, and held onto fourth place in the American Athletic Conference standings.
Tulsa shot a blistering 66.7 percent in the first half and 53.5 percent from the floor for the game, assisting on 18 of its 23 field goals.
"It wasn't our best defensive effort," Dawkins said. "I thought we've played better, so I'm disappointed in how we guarded. But give them credit for making plays."
Taylor was one of the few bright spots for UCF on the night, recording his fifth 20-point effort since returning from injury.
With one of his six made free throws on the night, Taylor became the 19th member of UCF's 1,000-Point Club. The redshirt junior, who has battled through injuries, has done it in well less than three seasons as a Knight.
Dayon Griffin was the only other double-digit scorer for the Knights. He finished with 12 points on four three-pointers. The junior has now hit four threes in two of the last three games, totaling 10 over the span.
Tulsa was led by DaQuan Jeffries with 19 points and Junior Etou with 17 in the victory.
"We have to keep grinding," Dawkins said. "We still have a lot to play for with another opportunity for us on the road at Temple."
UP NEXT
UCF will stay on the road to take on Temple on Feb. 25. The Knights and the Owls will tip off at 2 p.m. on ESPNU.
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