UCF hosted the Temple Owls on Saturday in a pivotal conference matchup, just days after another tough bout with 3rd-ranked Houston. It was the first meeting of the season between the two teams, and one that delivered a thrilling game –– if ultimately a disappointing one for the Knights faithful.
The game started well for UCF. Taylor Hendricks and Ithiel Horton both made plays out of the gate, and Lahat Thioune –– continuing to start in place of the injured Michael Durr –– took control of the paint. By the 10-minute mark, the Knights led 20-10, and but for two triples from Temple guard Hysier Miller (not a particularly strong shooter, incidentally), the game might have been blown wide open.
From that point on however, Temple managed to establish a rhythm on both sides of the ball. Offensively, big man Jamille Reyolds, in just his second game back from a thumb injury, began to assert himself against the smaller Thioune. Owls star Khalif Battle also started to heat up, knocking down two threes and converting an and-one in quick succession. And all the while, the Temple defense ramped up its energy, ultimately holding UCF to a single field goal in the final seven minutes of the half. Despite the Knights’ quick start, Temple took a 36-29 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, UCF took the court looking visibly determined to avoid further slippage (and a fourth straight conference loss). The Knights’ defensive intensity kicked up, with the result that Temple was held to just 10 points in the first 11 minutes of the half. In that same span, UCF spread the wealth offensively and gradually clawed to a 49-46 lead with under nine minutes to play. From there, Battle would get going for Temple again leading to a final stretch during which the teams traded leads on tense baskets and clutch free throws. Temple led 62-58 after two Battle free throws with 48 seconds remaining. In those final 48 seconds however, UCF’s Darius Johnson managed to get himself to the line six times. He converted four, including two with one second left on the clock to send the game into overtime.
Johnson opened the overtime period with a quick three-pointer. But that would prove to be about the final bright spot for UCF. A hectic sequence in which Jamille Reynolds blocked Lahat Thioune, Temple came up with the ball, and Battle threw down a dunk, gave the Owls a two-point lead they wouldn’t surrender. Battle hit free throws down the stretch, and UCF couldn’t quite climb back into it again. Temple prevailed, leading 77-70 when the final buzzer sounded.
The game was a dramatic display of conference drama, but ultimately a heartbreaking one for the UCF faithful. It’s safe to say at this point that UCF has reached the roughest patch of its season to date. The overtime loss marked a fourth straight loss since the Knights defeated Memphis in a 107-104 shootout on January 11th. This sends the team into the final full month of the season sitting at 13-8 and 4-5 in the AAC; an NCAA Tournament berth that once seemed likely suddenly feels like a long shot.
UCF next faces a tough two-game road trip with games at Cincinnati and Wichita State. It will need to right the ship quickly if it’s to climb back up the conference ranks and towards the tournament bubble.
