UCF basketball is riding a wave it hasn’t caught in two decades - and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
With an 81-63 win over Mercer on Wednesday night, the Knights extended their winning streak to eight straight games, pushing their overall record to 9-1. That kind of momentum hasn’t been seen in Orlando since the 2004-2005 season, when UCF last strung together a run like this. And if this group keeps playing the way it did against Mercer, that streak might just keep growing.
Let’s start with Jordan Burks, who looked every bit the confident scorer UCF needs him to be. After struggling from deep in recent outings - five straight games without more than one made three - Burks found his rhythm and then some, pouring in 17 points and drilling four shots from beyond the arc.
But his impact wasn’t limited to the offensive end. Burks was active defensively, grabbing five boards, swatting a shot, and picking up three steals.
It was a complete performance that helped set the tone on both ends.
Jamichael Stillwell continued his steady presence in the paint, notching his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He’s been a rock for this team, and once again, he controlled the glass and gave UCF a physical edge inside. Themus Fulks and Riley Kugel chipped in with 14 and 16 points, respectively, giving the Knights four players in double figures and reinforcing the balance that’s become a hallmark of this team’s offense.
The bench brought energy and production, too. Chris Johnson made the most of his nine minutes, scoring five points and dishing out three assists. Jeremy Foumena added some muscle in the paint with four points, five rebounds, and a block, helping UCF maintain its intensity even when the starters sat.
Early on, it looked like UCF might struggle from deep. The Knights missed nine of their first 10 three-point attempts in the opening 10 minutes.
But they didn’t let the cold shooting define them. Instead, they leaned on their defense - something head coach Johnny Dawkins has emphasized all season - and strung together a 9-0 run midway through the first half.
Mercer managed just eight made field goals on 28 attempts before halftime, and UCF carried a 35-27 lead into the break.
The second half was a different story from beyond the arc. The Knights found their stroke, knocking down five of their seven three-point attempts in the final 20 minutes.
That offensive efficiency, paired with relentless defense, helped UCF put the game away. The Knights forced 17 turnovers on the night and turned those into 18 points.
Mercer, meanwhile, didn’t hit a field goal in the final 4:25 of the game - a testament to UCF’s ability to close out games with focus and intensity.
Perhaps most impressively, UCF never trailed in this one. They scored on 52% of their possessions, controlled the tempo, and dictated the game from start to finish.
Now, with momentum firmly on their side, the Knights look ahead to Saturday’s matchup against Florida Gulf Coast at Addition Financial Arena. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
ET, and the game will stream on ESPN+. After that, they’ll head to Lake Buena Vista for a final non-conference showdown with Florida Atlantic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on Tuesday.
Right now, UCF isn’t just winning - they’re doing it with purpose, poise, and a clear identity on both ends of the floor. And with each game, this team is starting to look more and more like a squad that could make real noise come March.