ORLANDO – The UCF men's basketball team looks to keep its momentum going into the final contest of its three-game, season opening home stand after beating FSU by 14 on Friday. The Knights will host Western Illinois on Monday night inside Addition Financial Arena for a 7 p.m. tip.
The Black and Gold owned the glass on Friday night, out-rebounding FSU 52-22, including a 24-7 edge in offensive boards. It was the first time since Feb. 24, 2019 that the Knights had over 50 rebounds in a game, a night in which UCF pulled down 58 rebounds against SMU in a 95-48 victory. Currently, UCF is second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 20.5 a contest. That number is second to only Hawaii, who pulled down 23 offensive boards in their lone game of the season.
Lahat Thioune and Taylor Hendricks accounted for 22 of the 52 boards on Friday night, grabbing 10 and 12 respectively. Hendricks paired his dozen rebounds with 15 points, earning his first double-double in just his second collegiate game. Jayhlon Young led the way in scoring in his second game at the Division I level, draining 17 points and tallying four assists. Ithiel Horton was just behind Young and Hendricks in scoring, netting 14 points.
UCF's victory over FSU improved the Knights to 20-5 against in-state opponents since the beginning of head coach Johnny Dawkins' tenure. The Knights have won two straight contests against the Seminoles after losing the first 11 meetings with them.
Not only have the Black and Gold been solid against Florida foes, but they also have a remarkable record at home under Dawkins. Since his arrival, the Knights have gone 72-22 at home. UCF went 13-3 last year when playing at Addition Financial Arena.
The Black and Gold will face Western Illinois for the first time since 1987 on Monday. The two have only met twice, once in 1985, a 58-55 win, and again in 1987, a 79-77 loss. The Leathernecks enter the contest after a 2-1 start, with victories over Illinois State and Rockford and a loss to DePaul. Western Illinois won by double Rockford's score, beating them 113-56 on Nov. 9.
Alec Rosner leads the Leathernecks in scoring, averaging 17.7 points per game. Just behind him are Trenton Massner with 13 points a game and Quinlan Bennett who averages an 11.3 clip.
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