UCF Men’s Basketball Wins Season Opener Over Auburn, 63-55

The UCF Knights’ athletic success against the Auburn Tigers continued on Monday night as the men’s hoops squad started the 2020-2021 season with a 63-55 win over the Tigers at Addition Financial Arena.

UCF was led by Brandon Mahan, who scored all of his 12 points in the second half and took over the game with clutch baskets and playmaking down the stretch to give the Knights the win.

Dre Fuller Jr. had a strong all-around game with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

The Knights defense held Auburn to 32% shooting for the game, including just 7/34 from the 3-point line. UCF also won the free-throw battle, going 14/19 from the stripe while Auburn went 8/22, including 3/14 in the first half.

The game marked the UCF debut of five-star transfer C.J. Walker and Mr. Florida High School Basketball Isaiah Adams. Walker scored 9 points and 8 rebounds in 32 minutes while Adams added 9 points on 4/6 from the floor in 14 minutes.

UCF will now travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday. It is unknown what the status will be of projected starting point guard Darius Perry, who did not play in this game due to an undisclosed injury, or Tony Johnson Jr., who left the game with an injury after scoring 8 points in 14 minutes. Johnson will have an MRI on Tuesday to see the extent of his injury.

UCF is now 4-0 in 2020 against Auburn in Baseball and Men’s Basketball, as Baseball swept the Tigers back in February.

Check out our post-game thoughts as I was joined by Andrew Gluchov on our latest edition of “Knight Shift.” Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube page.