If UCF males’s basketball has something to be pleased about this Thanksgiving, it’s Darius Johnson.
The senior guard scored a season-high 28 factors to assist spark the Knights previous Milwaukee 84-76 on Wednesday night time. It was his second consecutive 20-plus-point sport after scoring 25 factors in a 109-102 loss to LSU on Sunday.
Johnson was 8 of 10 from 3-point vary, whereas the remainder of the group shot 21% (3 of 14).
UCF (5-2) disregarded one other gradual begin — lacking eight of its first 11 pictures — earlier than heating up and placing collectively a 19-10 run that gave the Knights its largest lead at 28-20 with 6:26 within the first half.
Guard Jordan Ivy-Curry supplied the spark, scoring 9 straight factors throughout a two-minute stretch that helped the group construct its early benefit.
The Knights completed on a 13-10 run to retain a 43-40 halftime benefit.
Milwaukee (5-3) went on a 4-0 run to begin the second half, grabbing its first lead for the reason that 12:59 mark within the first at 44-43. However back-to-back 3s by Johnson and Deebo Coleman helped push UCF again out entrance, 49-46 with 15:49.
The Panthers hung round many of the second half, pulling to inside a degree of the Knights, however couldn’t discover a technique to end.
Curry was the one different participant apart from Johnson in double-figures with 14.
Middle Moustapha Thiam missed the sport with an undisclosed damage.
Thiam, a 7-foot-2 true freshman, is averaging 5.8 factors, 4.8 rebounds and 20.7 minutes this season. Ahead Rokus Jocius (6-10, 260) changed him within the beginning lineup.
Kentrell Pullian was one in every of 4 Panthers in double-figures with 15 factors, together with Jamichael Stillwell (14), Themus Fulks (13) and AJ McKee (12).
UCF was coming off a disappointing displaying in final week’s Greenbrier Tip-Off match in West Virginia, with the Knights shedding to No. 19 Wisconsin (86-70) and LSU (109-102 3OT). The losses dropped the group to No. 81 within the newest KenPom rankings.
Poor taking pictures continues to hang-out Dawkins’ group, with UCF connecting on simply 38% (58 of 153) of its discipline objectives in the course of the two-game stretch. That features 24% (12 of 51) from the 3-point line.
The Knights, as a complete, are taking pictures 41% this season and connecting on simply 30% of their 3s.
Milwaukee (5-2) is No. 179 within the newest Ken Pom rankings, with the Panthers having gained 4 straight video games.
The Knights are nonetheless with out Jaylin Sellers (undisclosed) and Mikey Williams (foot), who haven’t taken the court docket this season.
UCF’s subsequent sport is towards Cal Baptist on Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN+) at Addition Monetary Enviornment.
Matt Murschel will be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
UP NEXT
UCF vs. Cal Baptist
4 p.m., Sunday, Addition Monetary Enviornment
TV: ESPN+
