Defense falters, but Knights don’t
UCF MEN’S BASKETBALL
Johnny Dawkins looked at the stats and couldn’t believe his eyes.
He knew the Green Bay Phoenix’s offense was hot in the second half against the UCF Knights’ usually stout defense. But he didn’t realize just how hot.
“It felt like they were scoring almost every time down the court,” Dawkins said. “I looked at the stat sheet and I said, ‘75%? Wow.’ And we won.”
The Knights (7-2) actually won rather comfortably late Tuesday night, rolling to their fourth consecutive victory, 79-66. The Phoenix (3-7) dropped their third game in a row.
“That’s one of those games where you’re fortunate,” Dawkins said. “We won because of our offense. We were able to outscore them tonight and that’s not who we’ve been.”
The Knights offense was the epitome of balance.
UCF had five players finish with at least 10 points for the second time in as many games. Guard Ceasar DeJesus and forward Collin Smith each contributed a team-high 14 points, but it was a trying night for both players.
DeJesus dislocated his right shoulder early in the first half and hurried off the court with his right arm dangling at his side. However, he returned to the court just two minutes later and played as if nothing happened. He quickly made two baskets and assisted on two more during a 17-3 run that saw UCF grab a 25-11 advantage.
“It’s popped out before, like in high school,” DeJesus said. “It’s not that painful; it’s just uncomfortable.”
While DeJesus helped the Knights take a 12-point lead into halftime, Smith helped them expand it. He made a couple of shots right out of the break and scored 10 of the team’s first 16 points in the second half. There was a fourminute stretch during which Smith was the only Knight supplying any offense.
The team depended on Smith to play smart amid adversity in the second half. The junior was whistled for his fourth foul with more than 11 minutes to play. Although he took a seat on the bench, his stay was short.
Smith reentered the game with 7 minutes, 25 seconds left and the Knights up by 10.
“We trusted him,” Dawkins said. “We trusted that he would be able to go out there and give us something at least long enough so that we can come down the stretch and finish the game out. And he was able to do that.”
Smith said playing with four fouls, knowing that the next whistle against you means the end of your night, is “annoying.” But his paint presence helped UCF sustain its lead. He fouled out with about three minutes remaining, but a UCF win had been pretty much secured by that point.
The Phoenix’s hopes hinged on guard Amari Davis, who tallied 21 of his team’s 40 points in the second half. He was the catalyst for Green Bay’s can’tmiss offense, hitting 10 of 12 attempts after halftime and 12 of 14 overall. And, antithetical to modern basketball, not one of his shots came from 3-point range.
“How many teams that you play really rely on scoring all twos?” Dawkins said. “They’re a midrange team.
“That’s almost obsolete now. Everybody is shooting the 3 or getting to the basket.”
Added DeJesus: “It was all tough twos, and we’re not going to lose to tough twos.”
The Knights made 10 3-pointers while the Phoenix made four.
It was actually two misses from Davis that changed the game. He clanked a couple of free throws that would have cut UCF’s lead to five with about five minutes remaining. The Knights took advantage immediately with a 3-pointer from guard Matt Milon that pushed UCF’s edge back to 10 It wouldn’t be threatened the rest of the way.
While Dawkins said he would gladly take the win, he made it clear what will be the lead point of emphasis during the Knights’ upcoming practices.
“Fifteen-for-20 — that’s the only thing I’m thinking about right now,” he said bluntly.
UCF will play Sunday versus the Sacred Heart Pioneers (6-4). Tipoff at Addition Financial Arena is set for 2 p.m. jump-shooting