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It didn’t look good there for a hot second, but the UCF Knights pulled away late from the Georgia Southern Eagles for a 95-88 victory.
Highlights
Post-Game Reaction
Here’s our Twitter recap:
Behind a career-best 35 from @BJTaylor_1, @UCF_MBB takes care of @GSAthletics_MBB, 95-88.
— Black & Gold Banneret (@UCF_Banneret) December 12, 2018
Check out our moment from tonight's game, featuring the talents of @Spokes_Murphy and @EricLopezELO.#UCF #ChargeOn https://t.co/IukGPsukgt
Three in the Key
1. B. J. Taylor’s Career Night
This was B.J’s masterpiece. He finished with a career-high 35 points on 10/17, including 6/9 from three-point range and 9/11 at the line.
2. Wild Second Half
Both teams went ballistic from the field in the second half. Georgia Southern shot 64.9% from the field (24/37), while UCF managed 58.6% (17/29). The Eagles out-scored UCF 57-53 after halftime, but it still wasn’t enough.
3. Problems in the Paint
One issue UCF had in the second half was in the paint, where Georgia Southern scored 34 of their 57 second-half points. Tacko Fall tallied four blocks, but GSU was able to tire him out down the stretch. This game is going to be highlighted on film by every opponent UCF faces the rest of the way.
Knight of the Night
B.J. Taylor. He saved the day for UCF. 27 of his 35 were in the second half, and UCF needed all of them. With UCF down 77-74 with four minutes left, again he took over, scoring 15 of his 35 in the final four minutes.
The Big Number
229. That’s Tacko Fall’s career total for blocks, which is a new UCF record, breaking the previous mark held by Keith Clanton. Tacko got the record tonight:
With his third blocked shot of the night, @tackofall99 is now our all-time leader in blocks with 228.
— UCF Men's Basketball (@UCF_MBB) December 12, 2018
Congrats Tacko! pic.twitter.com/OPtpRCaJhc
Who’s Got Next?
Home vs. Stetson - Sunday, December 16th, 3 p.m. at CFE Arena
An old rivalry, rekindled:
What a battle as the Hatters fall just short #GoHatters pic.twitter.com/D6leppNbkm
— Stetson MBB (@StetsonMBB) December 8, 2018