Men's Hoops Tops VMI, 82-57Men's Hoops Tops VMI, 82-57

Men's Hoops Tops VMI, 82-57

by Jenna VanHoose
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ORLANDO – UCF men’s basketball used a dominant second half to pull away from VMI on Saturday afternoon, earning an 82-57 victory inside Addition Financial Arena. The win moves the Knights to 7-1 on the season, while the Keydets fall to 3-7.

The Knights controlled the glass throughout the afternoon, outrebounding VMI 57-38 and setting a program record with 28 offensive rebounds, their most in a game since the 1996-97 season. UCF also recorded 19 assists and committed a season-low eight turnovers.

“We want our identity to be defending and rebounding. I know we’ve been able to shoot the ball, but that’s not an identity for us to be successful with. You have to find ways to win, and the way you can do that most consistently is to guard and to rebound the ball. And I thought we did it again tonight. When the shots weren’t falling and it wasn’t our best shooting night, I thought we did a really good job of pursuing rebounds and making the extra plays that are needed to still be successful."

Johnny DawkinsMen's Basketball Head Coach

Themus Fulks went to the line early, putting the Knights on the board with two free throws for a 2-0 lead. VMI quickly responded with an 8-0 run before UCF settled in behind a spark from Carmelo Pacheco, who knocked down the Knights’ first three-pointer. Jamichael Stillwell then shifted momentum midway through the half, turning a steal into a coast-to-coast layup to tie the game at 11.

Stillwell later added a tip-in to give UCF a 23-22 lead with 7:09 remaining. The Knights closed the half on a flurry, stringing together scoring runs of 8-0, 10-0 and 14-0. Jordan Burks capped one surge with an and-one finish that pushed the advantage to double digits. UCF entered the break leading 45-32.

UCF continued its strong play after halftime, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk from Devan Cambridge at the 16:42 mark. Burks ignited a 7-0 run with another and-one, and the Knights continued to build their lead behind efficient ball movement and second-chance opportunities.

Stillwell buried a three with 4:20 remaining and added back-to-back buckets moments later. A deep three from Pacheco capped a 13-0 run, giving UCF its largest lead of the day at 29 points. Jeremy Foumena added a late dunk as the Knights closed out the 25-point victory. The win marks the 175th in head coach Johnny Dawkins’ tenure at UCF.

Stillwell tied his career high with 14 rebounds and set a new career high with 10 offensive boards. The Atlanta native led the Knights with 21 points and went 5-for-6 at the free-throw line, securing his third double-double of the season. Burks added 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting, while Fulks scored 11 points and matched Stillwell with five assists apiece. Cambridge finished with eight points and seven rebounds. 

UCF takes a week off before returning to action against Towson on Sunday, Dec. 7, with tipoff set for 4 p.m. inside Addition Financial Arena.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.