UCF's Dominance Over BYU: A Night to Remember
It's not every day that a team strolls into the Marriott Center and takes control, but UCF did just that on Tuesday night. The Knights delivered a stunning 97-84 victory over the No. 19-ranked BYU Cougars, a game where the final score didn't quite capture the extent of UCF's dominance.
UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins couldn't have been prouder of his squad. "To coach a game like that was amazing because I thought we got off to a terrific start," Dawkins shared postgame. The Knights were indeed dialed in from the get-go, showcasing composure and skill in a notoriously tough environment.
From the opening tip, UCF set the tone with a blistering 14-4 run in less than four minutes and extended their lead to a commanding 24 points by halftime. Dawkins emphasized their strategy: "We just want to continue to play for each other and defend. That’s our calling card."
The Knights didn't let up after the break, launching a 12-0 run to extend their lead to 36 points. Despite a late surge from BYU, UCF maintained control, sealing a 13-point victory and putting up an impressive 97 points on BYU’s home court.
Reflecting on the game, Dawkins noted, "How we started the second half was very important. We knew they weren’t going anywhere. Kevin Young is too good of a coach, and BYU is too strong of a program."
UCF's offensive prowess was on full display as they shot a scorching 58% from beyond the arc, dished out 25 assists, and averaged 1.31 points per possession. BYU's star, AJ Dybantsa, still managed to score 29 points, but UCF made him work for every basket, limiting his trips to the free-throw line early on.
"He’s a great player," Dawkins said of Dybantsa. "You’re not going to stop a player like that. We just tried to contain him and make things difficult."
With this victory, UCF is on the brink of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament, marking their first appearance since 2019. Dawkins praised his team's resilience and unity: "Our guys showed the resilience that they have. They’ve shown it all season long."
In a league where road victories are hard-earned, UCF's performance at BYU was a testament to their competitive spirit and teamwork-a promising sign as they set their sights on March Madness.