Darius Johnson's eight 3-pointers lead Men's Hoops over Milwaukee, 84-76Darius Johnson's eight 3-pointers lead Men's Hoops over Milwaukee, 84-76

Darius Johnson's eight 3-pointers lead Men's Hoops over Milwaukee, 84-76

by Ryan Ladika
Box Score

ORLANDO – Though the officially-recognized beginning of Thanksgiving and its accompanying traditions may have still been a day away at the time of tipoff, Knights veteran guard Darius Johnson got a head start on his feast.

“I had an extraordinary night shooting the ball from three,” he said with a smile. “I rarely think that would happen again, but it’s great. I know my teammates are going to have nights like that as well.”

The senior’s career-high eight 3-point shots and 28-point performance both marked game highs, as the UCF men’s basketball team followed Johnson’s lead to an 84-76 Thanksgiving eve victory over the Milwaukee Panthers at Addition Financial Arena Wednesday night.

The winning effort represented a welcome bounce-back for the Black and Gold (5-2), who recently battled through their first two losses of the season to then-No. 19 Wisconsin and LSU at the Greenbrier Tip-off in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Nov. 22-24.

“We had some intense practices. Our guys did a good job of responding and understanding what we had to do to be successful.”

Johnny Dawkinshead coach

Johnson’s Wednesday exploits represented the latest in a recent trend of his most prolific offensive games coming within the current calendar year. His 28-point evening on 9-for-14 shooting (8-for-10 3PT) marked the fourth-highest scoring game of his career, all of which have come within his last 16 games.

The guard also produced 29 points (10-for-23, 5-for-15 3PT) against the West Virginia Mountaineers Feb. 20, 2024, 33 points (9-for-13, 5-for-6 3PT) in UCF’s 79-77 win at TCU March 9, 2024, and 32 points (12-for-22, 6-for-8 3PT) in the Knights’ second-round Big 12 Championship loss to then-No. 20 BYU March 13, 2024.

His Wednesday showing represented the highest-scoring effort on his home floor of his career, and marked the second-most made 3-point shots by a player in a single game in the Dawkins era, trailing only Matt Williams’ 11 against South Florida Jan. 17, 2017.

“Darius was terrific. He’s so comfortable in his leadership role now, he’s leading our team and running the show, and our new players are becoming more comfortable playing with him. He’s been a rock for us this season, and you love to see it out of a senior point guard.”

Johnny Dawkinshead coach

UCF saw balanced production on the offensive end to begin the affairs Wednesday, as the combination of Dallan ‘Deebo’ Coleman, Rokas Jocius, JJ Taylor and Benny Williams each factored into the team’s first nine points.

After the Panthers (5-3) hit one of two free throw tries to extend a modest lead to 11-9 with just under 14 minutes to play in the first half, Johnson and fifth year guard Jordan Ivy-Curry both aided in shifting the offensive momentum back to their end.

Johnson notched eight straight points for the Black and Gold, including his first two triples, before Ivy-Curry authored nine consecutive points himself to push UCF out to a 28-20 advantage.

Johnson later drilled his third triple of the first half, helping the Knights cling to a 43-40 halftime lead. He and Ivy-Curry co-led the squad through the first 20 minutes, with both tallying 11 points just ahead of Tyler Hendricks’ six.

“We have new players and a new system, and guys are still learning the system as we go along. The more we keep playing, the more comfortable we get, and shots start falling.”

Jordan Ivy-Curryfifth year guard

Indeed, UCF opened the second period with three straight 3-point shots, one from Coleman and two more from Johnson as the Knights traded field goals with the Panthers.

With the Black and Gold still possessing a 56-54 advantage with just over 12 minutes remaining, newcoming redshirt sophomore guard Dior Johnson, who had entered off the bench moments before, provided complimentary offensive aid for Darius to help widen the margin on the scoreboard once more.

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Dior’s 2-point jumper was followed immediately by Darius’ sixth made try from beyond the arc, and the two would go on to combine for 10 more points in the next 3:31 of gametime, including 3-pointers from both, to push UCF ahead, 73-66, with 6:06 left on the clock.

Darius’ eighth triple came with 2:05 remaining, amid converted free throw attempts by Ivy-Curry and Keyshawn Hall that iced UCF’s fifth win of the young campaign.

“He’s going to lead our team and make guys better, but when he has open looks, I want him to take them,” Dawkins said of Darius. “He’s one of the better shooters in college basketball, and I want him understanding that, as a lead guard, to facilitate and make guys around him better. He’s picking his spots so well right now and he’s leading our team.”

UP NEXT

Back in the win column, the Knights will look to build upon their momentum against the Cal Baptist Lancers Sunday, Dec. 1. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. from Addition Financial Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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