ORLANDO – In a game during which neither team led by double digits, it wasn’t offensive perfection that gave the UCF men’s basketball team the edge. It was its defensive grit, disciplined ball control, and a career-high performance from Jordan Burks that powered an 82–78 victory over the Hofstra Pride in its season-opener on Monday night in Addition Financial Arena.
"We know he can make shots. What I want to see him do is the other 90%, 97% of the game that has nothing to do with making shots. It has something to do with making plays."
Head Coach Johnny DawkinsOn Jordan Burks' Playing StyleA slow start put the Knights in an early hole. Three turnovers in three minutes, combined with a 10-0 Hofstra run, left them trailing 12–5 midway through the first half.
Despite the rough start, the Knights’ confidence didn’t waver. A three-pointer from Riley Kugel broke a nearly seven-minute scoring drought and sparked the momentum they needed to get back into the game. Moments later, Kugel converted a four-point play, draining a three while drawing a foul, to tie things up at 18.
From there, the Knights flipped the script. They forced four turnovers in a four-minute stretch and responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead with 6:55 left to go in the first.
Kugel stayed hot from beyond the arc, hitting a trio of three-pointers to help the Knights carry a 36–32 advantage into halftime. His five first-half threes marked a new career high, the most he’s ever made in a single game. The Orlando native finished with 19 points and three assists, his offensive fire setting the tone for the night.
Why not another? Career high 3️⃣ pointers made in a game for RK https://t.co/4Yso6Va9Ds pic.twitter.com/cK61Z9ZY7P
— UCF Men’s Hoops 🌴 (@UCF_MBB) November 4, 2025
The Pride, unwilling to hand the game over easy, turned the second half into a gritty, possession-by-possession fight as both teams clawed for control. Hofstra, having ended the evening 21-for-24 from behind the charity stripe, used their near-perfect free-throw shooting kept them in front, retaking a 53–51 lead with just under 13 minutes to play.
Refusing to back down, a second-chance layup from John Bol tied the game at 58, but the Knights struggled to pull ahead, alternating between a tie and a slim one-point lead. That’s when senior guard Themus Fulks took control, delivering exactly what the Black and Gold needed. He sank two free throws, then followed up with back-to-back buckets from the field, sparking a six-point swing to push the Knights ahead, 66–64.
"We might have some turnovers, but instead of us going against each other, fighting each other, we play through it now. Coach Dawkins put us in those situations over the summer, so I feel like we can overcome anything... appreciate Coach Dawkins for doing it for us."
Themus FulksOn Fighting For A Win As A TeamFulks orchestrated the offense throughout the night, dishing out a team-high eight assists and adding 16 points of his own. He also proved to be a rock at the free-throw line, knocking down 10 of his 12 attempts.
Hofstra stayed within striking distance, but the Knights found their closer in junior guard Burks. With just minutes remaining, Burks drilled a three-pointer from the wing; a shot that not only extended the Knights’ lead to five at 72-67, but also secured a new career high with 17 points.
Burks sealed his standout night in fitting fashion, coming up with a crucial block and an offensive rebound in the closing seconds, helping his team earn every inch of their 82-78 victory.
UP NEXT
Men's Hoops will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 8, at 4:00 p.m. to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in Addition Financial Arena.
SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
UCF men's basketball single-match and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action at Addition Financial Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
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.