ORLANDO – A trio of former UCF Men's Basketball players are moving on to championship week in The Basketball Tournament as Matt Williams (2012-17), Tristan Spurlock (2010-14) and Keith Clanton (2009-13) were on the winning Florida TNT team that took down Eberlein Drive, 74-67, in the third round of play Tuesday night in Wichita, Kansas.
Florida TNT is playing as one of 64 teams competing across four regions for the $1 million winner-take-all prize. With the victory, they will move on to Dayton, Ohio, where they need to win three straight games to win TBT and claim the grand prize.
Down 40-25 at the half, Florida TNT clawed its way back into the game throughout the second half before coming back to tie it at 67. Florida TNT would go on to score seven unanswered points to finish off the game.
Clanton posted his best offensive performance of TBT after shooting 6-of-7 from the field and scoring 14 points. Standing in at 6-foot-9, Clanton is UCF's all-time rebounds (1,000) and games played (129) leader. He also chimed in with three rebounds and a steal at the end of the game to secure the win for Florida TNT.
14 points AND the he got the steal that led to the win ??
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) July 21, 2021
Have a game, @Im_Keithclanton ?? pic.twitter.com/lemDJ2Pqsn
Williams knocked down his lone shot of the game, a deep three, and also contributed with a rebound. Meanwhile, Spurlock saw 20 minutes of action on the floor. He was 0-of-2 from the field with four rebounds.
.@1mattwill2 from DEEP ??
— UCF Men's Hoops (@UCF_MBB) July 21, 2021
?? @thetournament on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/r9VqsHPHON
With the win, Florida TNT will travel to Dayton, Ohio, where eight teams will compete for the $1 million grand prize from July 31 – August 3.