UCF Stuns No. 11 Texas Tech in Space Game Showdown, Powered by Balanced Attack and Relentless Defense
On a night when the stars aligned-literally and figuratively-UCF delivered a performance that lit up the Addition Financial Arena and sent shockwaves through the Big 12. In their annual Space Game, a nod to the university’s deep ties to the space industry, the Knights launched an 88-80 upset over No. 11 Texas Tech, marking a statement win that checked off several milestones in one fell swoop.
This wasn’t just another win. It was UCF’s third straight victory over Texas Tech, their second upset over a ranked opponent this season, and their first three-game winning streak in Big 12 play. Oh, and they snapped the Red Raiders’ five-game win streak in the process.
From the opening tip, UCF looked locked in. Forward Jordan Burks set the tone with five quick points, including a smooth triple and a pair of free throws, giving the Knights an early 5-2 edge. Burks would go on to finish with 17 points on an efficient 5-for-7 shooting night, continuing to showcase the evolution of his offensive game.
But this win wasn’t just about hot shooting-it was about grit, cohesion, and a defensive edge that rattled one of the Big 12’s top teams. Texas Tech’s typically disciplined offense was thrown off rhythm early, with stars JT Toppin and Christian Anderson both getting whistled for multiple traveling violations. For a team that averages just over 10 turnovers a game, coughing the ball up early and often was a sign that UCF’s pressure was doing its job.
Guard Themus Fulks picked up right where Burks left off. The floor general poured in 21 points and dished out seven assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. His chemistry with center John Bol was undeniable-time and again, Fulks found Bol rolling to the rim off pick-and-roll action, leading to easy finishes and momentum-swinging plays.
Bol turned in a career night with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, adding 10 rebounds to complete his second career double-double. And beyond the numbers, his energy was contagious.
“It’s all about my teammates putting me in the right position,” Bol said postgame. “Themus driving every time, us playing together-that just gives me juice.
I want to fight for the guy next to me. I’m gonna go the extra mile.
I’m gonna get that board so we can do something else with it.”
The Red Raiders didn’t go quietly. Toppin and Anderson found their rhythm midway through the first half, sparking a 14-6 run that pulled Texas Tech right back into the game. The two teams traded buckets in a tightly contested stretch, but UCF held on to a 44-40 lead heading into halftime, riding a wave of momentum and belief.
The second half brought more of the same: a back-and-forth battle with big plays on both ends. Fulks continued to carve up the defense with his signature floaters, while Burks took advantage of mismatches in the post against smaller defenders. The Knights leaned on their core trio of Fulks, Bol, and Burks to keep the offense humming.
“I feel like I’m more than just a shooter,” Burks said. “I’ve been adding more to my game to help the team win. Lately I’ve been getting face-guarded, so I’ve had to find other ways to contribute.”
Texas Tech made another push late, cutting the deficit to just one point at 68-67 behind a burst from Josiah Moseley, who scored six quick points with a hook shot, a tip-in, and a dunk. But just when it looked like the Red Raiders might flip the script, UCF answered.
With the shot clock winding down and just 0.1 seconds left, Carmelo Pacheco drilled a dagger three-pointer, pushing the Knights’ lead back to four and swinging momentum back in their favor.
From there, UCF showed poise down the stretch. Up 81-79 with under two minutes to go, Fulks briefly lost the ball on a turnover, but Riley Kugel came to the rescue with a clutch steal. Kugel dished it back to Fulks, who calmly knocked down a floater to extend the lead.
On the next possession, it was Jamichael Stillwell finding Kugel, who then found Chris Johnson for a thunderous dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet. That bucket pushed the lead to six and effectively sealed the deal.
Texas Tech was forced to foul, but Fulks iced the game at the line, capping off a night where UCF executed in all phases-offense, defense, and clutch-time composure.
With this win, UCF continues to build a compelling case for an NCAA tournament bid. The Knights are gaining steam at just the right time and will look to keep that momentum going as they head to Houston next Wednesday to take on the No. 10-ranked Cougars.
One thing’s for sure: if UCF keeps playing like this-sharing the ball, locking in on defense, and getting big-time efforts from their leaders-the rest of the Big 12 better take notice. The Knights aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to make noise.