UCF Dominates No. 19 BYU in a Commanding Victory
In a game that was anything but a nail-biter, UCF delivered a decisive 97-84 victory over No. 19 BYU, leaving the Marriott Center crowd heading for the exits well before the final buzzer. This wasn't just a win for the Knights; it was a statement.
Themus Fulks was the star of the night, putting up an impressive 24 points and 11 assists. His teammate, Jordan Burks, matched his scoring with 24 points and added six rebounds. From the tipoff, UCF took control and never looked back, maintaining a lead throughout the game.
Jamichael Stillwell was another key contributor for UCF, recording a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. This victory marked the Knights' third consecutive win, bolstering their position in the Big 12 with a 20-7 overall record.
For BYU, AJ Dybantsa led the charge with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Robert Wright III added 20 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Cougars struggled to keep pace, falling to a 20-8 record.
One of the few bright spots for BYU was the performance of freshman Aleksej Kostic, who achieved a season-high 14 points. Tyler Mrus chipped in with seven points, three rebounds, and two assists.
UCF's offensive prowess was on full display early, as they hit nine of their first 11 shots. Carmelo Pacheco's sharp shooting from beyond the arc helped the Knights build a commanding 42-25 lead midway through the first half.
By halftime, Dybantsa had posted 10 points for BYU, but Fulks was already making his mark with 14 points and four assists, giving UCF a dominant 52-28 advantage.
Burks, fresh off a strong performance against Utah, continued his hot streak with 11 first-half points, including three 3-pointers. UCF's deep shooting was exceptional, going 11-of-16 from three-point range.
In the second half, UCF continued to pour it on, extending their lead to 64-28 before BYU managed to score their first field goal. The Cougars' defense, which had been solid all season, couldn't contain the Knights' shooting, which soared to 58% from deep.
Despite trailing by as much as 36 points, BYU showed some fight late in the game. With key starters on the bench, the Cougars managed a mini-rally. Mrus hit a crucial 3-pointer, and Mihailo Boskovic's free throws cut the deficit to 85-65 with just over four minutes remaining.
In the end, UCF's relentless offensive attack proved too much for BYU. The Knights' performance was a reminder of their potential in the Big 12, and a signal to the rest of the league that they're a force to be reckoned with.