UCF Defense Shines Again as Knights Push Win Streak to Eight
Coming off a ten-day layoff, UCF looked a little out of sync offensively to start the night-but that didn’t stop the Knights from doing what they’ve done best all season: defend. Behind another gritty, lockdown performance on that end of the floor, UCF rolled past Mercer 81-63 on Wednesday night, extending their win streak to eight games.
The first half wasn’t pretty on the offensive end. The Knights shot just 30.8% from the field, and the rust was evident.
But their defense more than made up for it. Mercer was held to just 27 first-half points, and UCF clamped down on the Bears’ top scoring threat, Baraka Okojie, limiting him to just five points before the break.
That defensive identity has become the foundation of this team’s success. Even as the hot shooting from earlier in the season has cooled, the Knights are finding ways to win-grinding out stops, forcing turnovers, and making timely plays.
One of those timely plays came from junior forward Jordan Burks, who continues to be a spark plug. Burks knocked down 4-of-7 from deep and led UCF with 17 points. His ability to move without the ball and find open pockets of space was key, and he gave credit to his teammates for setting him up.
“Just my teammates finding me. Moving without the ball.
Just being available for them,” Burks said postgame. “Whenever they need it, to alley it or throw it to me, it’s just ‘goodnight.’”
While Burks caught fire, senior guard Riley Kugel had a tougher night shooting the ball. But even when his jumper isn’t falling, Kugel finds ways to impact the game. He added 16 points, got to the free-throw line eight times, and took on the challenge of guarding Okojie-something that’s becoming a calling card for him.
And then there was the highlight of the night: a fast-break sequence that brought the crowd to its feet. Fifth-year senior guard Themus Fulks tossed a no-look lob over his shoulder, and Kugel soared in for the dunk, punctuating the play with a grin for the camera. It was a reminder of just how electric this team can be when it gets out in transition.
Despite missing his last eleven three-point attempts, Kugel is still shooting a career-best 41.7% from beyond the arc this season. Head coach Johnny Dawkins isn’t concerned about the recent slump.
“He’s going to hit those threes like he was earlier,” Dawkins said. “I don’t look at anything other than to keep just throwing yourself in the things that we want to do, which means guarding... being in the right spots, whether running defensively or offensively. He’s too good of a player not to find his rhythm.”
Another standout was senior forward Jamichael Stillwell, who quietly racked up his fourth double-double of the season. He grabbed his tenth rebound just before the final buzzer, but it was his defensive presence that really stood out. Stillwell showed off his versatility by switching onto guards, disrupting passing lanes, and forcing turnovers.
Mercer coughed up the ball 17 times-a season high-and UCF held them 20 points below their scoring average. That kind of defensive pressure is exactly what Dawkins has been preaching, and it’s becoming the Knights’ calling card.
Stillwell, like many on this roster, is keeping his eyes on the bigger picture. He knows the real tests are just around the corner.
“That Jan. 3 game (opener vs Kansas) is going to give us a real test run. That’s where we’ll see where we’re at,” Stillwell said.
“Win, lose, or draw. I feel like that’s going to give us a test to see how far we can go in the Big 12.”
Before that showdown with No. 17 Kansas, UCF has two more non-conference matchups to fine-tune things. The Knights, now 9-1, will look to keep the momentum rolling Saturday at 5 p.m. when they take on Florida Gulf Coast.
The offense might still be finding its rhythm, but the defense? That’s already in midseason form. And if that holds, UCF could be a serious problem once Big 12 play begins.