Men's Hoops Stifles Pitt in Legends Classic, 77-67Men's Hoops Stifles Pitt in Legends Classic, 77-67

Men's Hoops Stifles Pitt in Legends Classic, 77-67

by Jenna VanHoose
Box Score

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – UCF turned in another strong performance Thursday night in the Legends Classic at the Ocean Center, knocking off Pitt 77-67 to improve to 5-1 on the season. The Knights outrebounded the Panthers 37-28 and shot 52.5% from the field while holding Pitt (4-2) to just 38.9%.

 

"I know it's a process, we have to take it one game at a time. This game is really good for us, but we have to think about what's coming next for us and how we have to approach it."

Johnny DawkinsMen's Basketball Head Coach

Jamichael Stillwell opened the scoring with a layup through contact and converted the three-point play, setting the tone early for UCF. Jordan Burks followed with back-to-back dunks around the 17-minute mark before Pitt grabbed its first lead on a 3-pointer.

Themus Fulks drained a three to tie the game at 18 with 11:16 left, and Stillwell knocked down a second-chance triple to put the Knights ahead 21-20. UCF held Pitt without a field goal for 2:16 during the stretch, though the Panthers later tied it at 29 on a free throw. A Pitt three at the 4:01 mark sparked a 5-0 run, but Burks responded with a driving and-one to pull the Knights within 34-32.

Riley Kugel’s tip-in at 1:46 put UCF back in front, and Fulks beat the clock with a three-pointer to send the Knights into halftime up 38-36. Kugel led UCF at the break with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Burks added nine points, while Stillwell posted eight points and eight rebounds.

UCF opened the second half on a 10-1 run, sparked by a driving layup from Kugel off a Pitt turnover. The Knights later capitalized on another Panther scoring drought, stringing together a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 62-47. Stillwell secured his second double-double of the season as UCF maintained control throughout the half.

Kugel buried a three with 3:37 remaining to push the lead to 70-58, though Pitt briefly cut the margin to nine on a triple at the 2:22 mark. The Knights held firm down the stretch to secure the 77-67 win.

 

Kugel was named Legends Classic MVP after recording 18 points and four assists. Fulks matched him with 18 points and tied his career high by going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Stillwell finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Up Next:
UCF returns home to Addition Financial Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 25, to face Quinnipiac. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.