UCF Rallies Past FAU, Sets Sights on Kansas in Big 12 Opener
The UCF Knights are heading into conference play with momentum-and a little bit of swagger. After clawing back from a 14-point first-half deficit, the Knights outlasted in-state foe Florida Atlantic 85-80 on Tuesday afternoon at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, pushing their record to an impressive 11-1 on the season.
This one didn’t start pretty for UCF. FAU came out guns blazing, connecting on seven three-pointers in the first half and controlling the tempo early.
Former Stanford and Indiana guard Kannan Carlyle was the engine for the Owls, putting up nine points while leading the team in rebounds (5) and assists (4) before halftime. FAU’s ball movement and perimeter shooting had UCF on its heels.
But while the Knights were down, they weren’t out-and Themus Fulks made sure of that.
The fifth-year senior point guard kept UCF within striking distance with a poised and productive first half. Fulks not only scored eight points before the break, but also dished out five assists, helping the Knights trim the deficit to five by halftime, 38-33.
Then came the surge.
UCF came out of the locker room with renewed energy and ripped off an 11-0 run to flip the game on its head. Fulks and senior guard Riley Kugel both buried threes during the stretch, swinging the momentum firmly in the Knights’ favor and giving them a six-point cushion early in the second half.
Kugel, in particular, was a story of resilience. After being held scoreless in his last outing, he came out hunting for his shot and didn’t shy away from the moment.
While his red-hot start to the season from beyond the arc has cooled, Kugel rediscovered his rhythm in this one, knocking down two triples and making an impact on both ends of the floor. His defensive activity stood out-three steals, including a momentum-shifting sequence midway through the second half.
That play came just after the eight-minute media timeout. Kugel jumped a passing lane, went coast-to-coast, and drew a foul.
He hit the first free throw, missed the second, but chased down his own rebound and found junior forward Jordan Burks for a layup. That sequence pushed UCF’s lead to 64-57 and sparked a key stretch run.
From there, it was all about composure. UCF closed the game at the line, with Fulks, Kugel, and Burks all knocking down clutch free throws to hold off FAU’s late push and seal the Knights’ tenth straight win.
Fulks was the star of the afternoon, delivering his best performance in a UCF uniform. He finished with a game-high 24 points and 12 assists-his first double-double of the season-and was the steady hand the Knights needed on both ends.
Sophomore center John Bol also made his presence felt, recording the first double-double of his collegiate career with 11 points and 11 rebounds. His work on the glass helped UCF stay even in the rebounding battle against a physical FAU squad.
Now, the real test begins.
UCF opens Big 12 play on January 3 against Kansas, a marquee matchup that could set the tone for the rest of their conference slate. The Knights haven’t had the smoothest road in Big 12 play in recent years, but this version of the team looks different-deeper, more confident, and led by experienced guards who know how to win.
One storyline to watch: Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson, a projected top-three pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, has been dealing with a hamstring injury. His status remains uncertain for the matchup, and Knights fans will be watching closely.
But regardless of who suits up for Kansas, UCF is entering the new year with belief-and a 10-game winning streak to back it up.