UCF basketball recap: "Victory is our cry, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y"

CUSA Fans UCF Correspondent Ryan Westin brings the latest update on the UCF Golden Knights basketball team.

UCF entered a crucial stretch of road games by collecting a relatively easy, 67-49, victory at East Carolina on Wednesday night. With the win, the Golden Knights improved to 17-6 overall and 6-3 in Conference USA.

Senior Josh Peppers’ hot hand, who finished with 24 points on a 9-of-10 shooting performance, led the Golden Knights. Peppers was 4-of-5 from behind the arc and Jermaine Taylor proved why he is leading the nation in points per game off the bench by scoring 17 on the night.

Prior to the game, Kirk Speraw spoke about his team’s inability to close the door on teams after building an early lead. He said, "I am happy we are talking about a cushion and not about coming back at the end of the game." Once again, UCF built a double-digit second half lead, but this time they would not look back.

UCF started out strong, literally, winning the tip and moving the ball quickly up the court to Lavell Payne for a dunk and a foul just six seconds into game.

East Carolina tried to match UCF's early lead but missed on a three point shot on each of their first two possessions and the Golden Knights held a 6-0 lead.

Despite their slow start, the Pirates would not go away as they battled back and took advantage of UCF's poor shooting from the field. They went on a 10-2 run and took their first lead of the game at 10-8.

The Pirates and Knights would battle back and forth for the remainder of the half. Jermaine Taylor hit a three to give the Knights a 25-23 lead.

Taylor had 10 points in the first half while senior Josh Peppers added 11 and Lavell Payne led the Knights with 7 rebounds. UCF was unable to contain Courtney Captain in the first half, as he scored 14 and finished the game as the Pirates’ leading scorer with 15 points.

UCF took a 29-26 lead into the locker room. Coming into the game the Knights were 13-1 when leading at the half.

The Knights started the second half strong, as Mike O'Donnell made his first bucket and only bucket of the game with a three pointer. Jermaine Taylor then collected a dunk off a turnover, building the lead to seven at 36-27 and forcing Ricky Stokes to use a timeout.

East Carolina closed the gap and brought the lead down two at 36 to 34 with 12:25 to play in regulation. However, UCF answered with a 13-0 run, which was fueled by ten points by Josh Peppers. The Pirates’ scoring drought that lasted just under six minutes was quenched with a pair of free throws by John Fields, but they could not overcome the damage that was done as UCF went on to beat the Pirates, 67-49.

Knight Bites

• UCF was able to get out to a large lead in the second half and denied East Carolina's efforts to close the gap. The 18-point margin of victory was UCF's largest in conference play this year.

• UCF kept the Pirates’ leading scorer in check as Darrell Jenkins who entered the game averaging 12.1 ppg was held to three points.
• UCF shot 44 percent from the field while the Pirates shot just 32.
• The Golden Knights had success from the line, making 15 of 16. ECU was 8 of 14.
• UCF is now 6-0 all-time in match ups against East Carolina.
• Mike Battle's family was in attendance, making the trip down from Waldorf, MD. Mike played for seven minutes and was able to make his only shot of the game to finish with three points.
• The Knights are now 14-1 on the season when leading at the half.
• UCF was bit by the injury bug when Lavell Payne left the game with 18 minutes left in the second half and Josh Peppers was soon to follow. Payne did not return. Fortunately, Peppers was out only momentarily as he was able to walk his injury off behind the bench.
• East Carolina is now 0-9 in conference play and 5-17 on the year.

Who' Next

UCF improved to 17-6 overall and 6-3 in Conference USA. The Golden Knights look to extend their current two-game winning streak on Saturday when they welcome Marshall to Orlando. The Thundering Herd is coming off a 63-60 home loss to Tulsa on Wednesday night.

UCF looks to avenge last season’s loss to Marshall, as the Herd spoiled the Knights’ first game in CUSA. The game, which features a rare tip-off time of noon, will be aired live on CSS.