Knights drop season-high 79 points in win over Green Bay

The UCF Knights extended their winning streak to four tonight with a 79-66 win over the Green Bay Phoenix.

The Knights won the game with a prolific offensive attack, posting their highest point total of the season.

The Phoenix held a three point lead at the 13:38 mark in the first half, but the Knights responded with a 17-4 run that would grant them the lead for good. During the run, Frank Bertz dropped a trio of triples that pushed them ahead.

“Frank [Bertz] is our little energizer bunny,” forward Collin Smith said. “He’s one of the X-Factors we have.”

Green Bay brought a throbbing offensive attack in the second half, led by true freshman Amari Davis, who scored 25 points on 12-14 shooting.

“Allowing one person to score like that is unbecoming of UCF,” Smith said.

As a team, the Phoenix shot 75 percent (15-20 FGM) from the floor in the second half. However, the closest Green Bay ever got to a lead was a five point deficit.

The Knights responded to the Phoenix’s scoring with a balanced offensive barrage of their own, led by Collin Smith, who scored a team-high 14.

Smith was one of five Knights in double figures. It marked the second straight game in which five Knights scored 10 or more. Ceasar DeJesus matched Smith’s high with 14.

“Our strength is in our numbers,” coach Johnny Dawkins said, “We have a number of guys that are capable of showing up.”

The Knights created a pattern tonight with the balanced offense. As the team approaches conference play, they might be a step closer to finding its identity — a team with balance and an ability to score in many different facets. There is a sense of unpredictability when it comes to the team, and that might be exactly what the team is looking for.

The Knights continue their homestand Sunday as they face the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.