Taylor shines, Knights fall
B.J. Taylor scored a season-high 26 points and became the 19th member of UCF’s 1,000-point scoring club, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Knights to a key road win.
DaQuan Jeffries scored 19 points, Junior Etou added 17 and Tulsa defeated UCF 70-61 late Wednesday night, holding onto fourth place in the American Athletic Conference. The Golden Hurricane extended its win streak to five games, while the Knights saw their three-game win streak end.
The teams entered Wednesday night one game apart in the battle for fourth place and the contest featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes.
Etou and Jeffries took over, scoring all 13 points in a 13-8 run midway through the second half when Tulsa (17-10, 10-5) seized control. Etou opened the run with a layup to tie at 42-42, Jeffries followed with a monster dunk and a free throw, he and Etou each added 3-pointers and Etou finished with a layup and a 53-50 lead and the Golden Hurricane never trailed again.
“They were able to execute and pull away from us late in the game,” UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. “Give them credit. They made some tough plays down the stretch.”
Dayon Griffin added 12 points for the Knights (17-10, 8-7).
UCF will aim to quickly regroup before playing at Temple Sunday. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. and the game will air on ESPNU.
“We have to keep grinding,” Dawkins said. “We still have a lot to play for with another opportunity for us on the road at Temple.”
Gators fall
Grant Williams bounced back from one of his worst performances of the season and helped
19th-ranked Tennessee damage Florida's NCAA Tournament hopes.
Williams scored 23 points and Tennessee beat Florida 62-57 late Wednesday night to hand the Gators their third consecutive loss. Williams' big night came four nights after he had a season-low five points in a 73-62 loss at Georgia.
Admiral Schofield added 16 points and eight rebounds for Tennessee (20-7, 10-5 Southeastern Conference). Williams and Schofield also led a Tennessee defense that caused Florida to shoot just 35 percent overall and 25 percent from 3-point range.
“They're one of the best defensive teams in the country,” Florida coach
Mike White said. “You've got linebackers like Williams and Schofield that move like guards. They've
got great speed and quickness in the backcourt. They've got great depth. They run different guys at you, and they play extremely hard.”
Florida (17-11, 8-7) trailed nearly the whole way, but threatened in the final minute.
Chris Chiozza made a basket to cut Tennessee's lead to 60-57 with 24.5 seconds left, and he got fouled by Williams in the process. But Chiozza missed the ensuing free throw and couldn't get Florida any closer.
The Gators were seeking a quality road win that could boost their NCAA Tournament credentials.
Florida entered the night 65th in the RPI and have a demanding schedule the rest of the way. The Gators host No. 12 Auburn, visit Alabama and host Kentucky in their final three regular-season games.
White credited his team's defensive intensity, which has been an issue at times this season. The Gators' problem was trying to solve Tennessee's defense.
“I told our guys I was proud of the effort defensively,” White said. “We've got to get to where we see that every night. There's not that many games left. That will give us a chance. On top of that, we've got to knock down some 3s and free throws and of course, when we're within 5 feet, we've got to finish at a much higher rate.”
Jalen Hudson had 13 points for Florida, and Chiozza and Keith Stone each added 11. Chiozza also had nine assists and six rebounds.