Annual Space Game brings another win versus ranked team

A crowd of over 8,500 watched the UCF men’s basketball team deliver an upset victory against the 11th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders 88-80 during its Space Game on Saturday at Addition Financial Arena.

The Knightmare stormed the court prematurely at first as a foul was called on junior guard Chris Johnson, allowing Texas Tech junior forward LeJuan Watts to shoot two free throws with less than a second left of the matchup.

Shortly after, Knight Nation rushed to the court once again to celebrate UCF taking down another ranked team at home during conference play.

“I thought we executed, defended, and rebounded well,” UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins said in the postgame conference. “Our guys did a good job of understanding that’s going to be important for us to have any chance to beat a team like this. And they were able to go out there and execute that.”

UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) controlled the glass for most of the matchup, finishing with 35 total rebounds compared to the 23 from Texas Tech (16-5, 6-2 Big 12).

Although Texas Tech junior forward JT Topping scored the opening basket, junior forward Jordan Burks responded by draining a three-pointer of his own that carried UCF’s momentum early in the first half.

Texas Tech experienced foul trouble and traveling violations during the first half that disrupted the Red Raiders’ rhythm. The Knights’ lockdown defense kept Texas Tech at bay as the Red Raiders shot 15-for-27 from the field and 7-for-17 from three.

“Our main focus was stopping them in transition and rebounding,” Burks said in the postgame conference. “We also wanted to limit catch-and-shoot threes. They had to put the ball on the floor to get a three and I thought we did a good job of that.”

A three-point jumper from Texas Tech senior guard Donovan Atwell eventually tied the matchup at 20-20 and scoring remained tight until the end of the first half.

Sophomore center John Bol took a hard fall right before halftime after a personal foul by Texas Tech sophomore forward Luke Bamgboye, prompting junior guard Carmelo Pacheco to take his place. However, Bol returned with a vengeance, making a layup and getting a block within the first couple of minutes of the second half.

“It was a little painful,” Bol said in the postgame conference. “I just needed to go out, catch my breath, and let the trainer do his thing. But I had to come back and play for my teammates.”

UCF did not let Texas Tech regain the lead throughout the second half, ending the matchup with over 36 minutes of lead time.

A jumper in the paint from Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin brought the game close at 81-79, but UCF immediately responded with a steal from senior guard Riley Kugel, followed by a jumper from fifth-year guard Themus Fulks.

Fulks held the Knights together by leading his team with 21 points, seven assists, and three turnovers by the end of the matchup.

“Our leadership starts with Themus at the point guard position. He sets the tone for us offensively and defensively,” Dawkins said. “Whether it’s in a timeout or on the floor in time-and-score situations, his composure has been really good.”

After the last two free throws by Watts closed the matchup, UCF men’s basketball boosted its overall record of Space Game wins to 3-2.

UCF as a team finished with 48 points in the paint while shooting 32-for-65 from the floor and 6-13 from three. Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin kept the Red Raiders afloat with 27 points while shooting 12-for-17, but it was insufficient against the headstrong UCF.

Even after winning three back-to-back games, Dawkins said they do not have time celebrate and keep pushing forward through the gauntlet of the Big 12.

“In this conference, every night you’re facing a great team and great coaches. We have to reset and prepare for the next opponent, because that’s all that matters,” Dawkins said.

UCF heads back on the road to take on the No.10 Houston Cougars (19-2, 7-1 Big 12) in Texas at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4.