Sykes among nation’s steals leaders

ORLANDO — UCF junior Isaiah Sykes nearly registered a third triple-double this season in the Knights’ 65-50 win over Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday night, and though he felt just short of the mark with 11 points, nine steals and eight rebounds, the guard’s big defensive night boosted him among the nation’s leaders in steals.

The 6-foot-5 Detroit native is now averaging 2.3 steals per game, tied for 20th best in the country. Sykes is also averaging 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season.

Sykes, whohad four steals during a big run in the second half that helped the Knights break away with the win, has 64 total steals this season, tied for 18th overall in the nation.

The Knights (19-9, 8-5 Conference USA) will close out their home schedule on Saturday against Memphis (24-4, 13-0), which had its 18-game win streak snapped on Tuesday night during a 64-62 loss to Xavier. The Tigers are rankedNo. 17 in theUSATodayTop25coaches’ poll andNo. 19 in the Associated Press poll.

UCF women’s basketball will honor seniors Gevenia CarterandKayliKeoughas it closes outits homeschedule today against Houston at 7 p.m.

Carter averages a team-high 14.5 points per game and is one of the program’s all-time leaders in steals and 3-point field goals. The 5-foot-8 guard has 78 assists and 74 steals this season. Keough has started 15 games this season and is averaging 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

The Knights (11-16, 5-8) had won four straight before consecutive losses at Rice and to East Carolina.