Men's Basketball Tops California Baptist, 74-59Men's Basketball Tops California Baptist, 74-59

Men's Basketball Tops California Baptist, 74-59

by Ryan Ladika
Box Score

ORLANDO – As the UCF men’s basketball team’s 2024-25 non-conference slate inches closer to its conclusion, the squad continues to build the in-game chemistry and consistency it will need for its second go-around against Big 12 Conference foes.

Its efforts culminated in one of the more complete all-around showings of the season thus far against California Baptist Sunday evening.

“I thought our guys gave a great team effort, probably the best team effort we’ve had this season. Everyone made big contributions the way we played, and I was really proud of that. It’s something for us to build on.”

Johnny Dawkinshead coach

The Black and Gold held their opposition to fewer than 60 points for the first time this season and saw four Knights eclipse double-digit scoring in their latest victory, a 74-59 win over the Lancers at Addition Financial Arena Sunday.

UCF (6-2) entered play boasting an already-impressive 74-9 record when limiting opponents to fewer than 60 points in the Dawkins era, and was 84-16 when holding its opposition to under 40 percent shooting from the field. The Knights accomplished both in their sixth win of the campaign, improving to 75-9 and 85-16, respectively, in both scenarios while also snatching double-digit steals for the second time in their last three games.

Senior guard Darius Johnson, one game removed from nailing a career-high eight 3-point shots against Milwaukee Nov. 27, was responsible for seven of his team’s 11 steals on the night, a total that not only bested California Baptist’s (5-4) team total of six but also tied his career high set at Wichita State Feb. 8, 2023. His seven steals rank tied for seventh most in a single game in program history as well.

“The offense wasn’t going as well for me tonight, so I had to find other ways to make an impact. I was trying to find opportunities to tip the ball or read the passing lanes and it worked out for me today. They’re a team that doesn’t turn the ball over that much, so for us to turn them over 19 times is good.”

Darius Johnsonsenior guard

Indeed, the Lancers entered the evening averaging just 8.8 turnovers per game, good for the fewest in the WAC and the fourth fewest in the nation behind only Ole Miss (8.1), UC San Diego (8.4) and Mississippi State (8.4).

Though not one of his more prolific evenings on the offensive end, Johnson (11) also joined Keyshawn Hall (15), Moustapha Thiam (11) and Jordan Ivy-Curry (10) as one of four Knights to score at least 10 points in the winning effort.

Hall paced his squad in scoring through the first 10 minutes of action, scoring seven of UCF’s first nine points, including the Knights’ first triple, as California Baptist jumped out to an early 13-9 advantage.

On the heels of four points from Thiam and Tyler Hendricks, the Black and Gold were able to find the offensive traction they needed as the game clock ticked down below six minutes to play in the opening half.

Ivy-Curry and Dallan ‘Deebo’ Coleman ignited a 19-9 run to finish the first 20 minutes of play, combining for four points on a layup and a pair of free throws before Coleman and Benny Williams converted back-to-back 3-point tries. Johnson later added his first two triples of the night to help push UCF out to a 32-29 halftime lead.

“It always starts in the same place for us, on the defensive end. When we start getting stops and rebounding the basketball, then we’re able to get some momentum. During that stretch, that’s what was happening. We defended very well, and we had a number of possessions when we were able to get stops. That led to us in transition and running good half-court offense.”

Johnny Dawkinshead coach

The Knights in the last 20 minutes continued to build on the lead they took into the second stanza, starting with a key 14-7 half-opening run.

Thiam, Johnson, Hall and JJ Taylor combined for UCF’s first 19 points coming out of the break, highlighted by two straight triples by Taylor and Hall that forced the Lancers to call their third timeout of the contest with 13:33 to play and the Black and Gold holding a 46-36 advantage.

UCF continued to pad its lead following the resumption of play, led by three points from both Thiam and Hall as the margin grew to 15 with under eight minutes remaining. Seven converted tries from the free throw line accompanied by Ivy-Curry’s first 3-pointer of the evening the rest of the way helped ice the Knights’ sixth straight home win, their longest such streak since their six consecutive victories in Orlando Dec. 4, 2022–Jan. 11, 2023 against Samford, Tarleton State, Stetson, Wichita State, SMU and Memphis.

The winning effort also pushed the Knights’ home non-conference regular-season win streak to nine straight dating back to their final three non-conference wins of the 2023-24 season against Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Maine.

UP NEXT

UCF will conclude its three-game homestand against Tarleton State with a matinee matchup Sunday, Dec. 8. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. from Addition Financial Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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