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UCF wrapped up the regular season with a 77-64 victory over East Carolina on Saturday night in what was possibly their final game at the UCF Arena. Seniors Adam Gill, Lavell Payne and Josh Peppers were honored prior to their final regular season home game as Golden Knights.

Senior Josh Peppers(left center) and Adam Gill (right center) huddle with the Knights for the last time at home before their game against ECU.

The Pirates came to town having won only one game on the road, but Ricky Stokes’ club was able to compete in this game. They closed the Knights lead down to six with eight minutes remaining after a Gabe Blair layup. However, then UCF went on a 10-0 for the over the next four minutes and boosted the lead to as many 17 in the closing minutes while putting away a gritty ECU team.

Senior Josh Peppers led UCF with 25 points, which included the last nine of the first half. Peppers stole the show during his finale at the UCF Arena by scoring 21 points in the first half.

Senior Lavell Payne had a hot hand in the first half as well as he scored 10 of his 17 points before the break.

Senior Adam Gill, who started in place of Kenrick Zondervan, also got into the scorebook when he knocked down a jumper in the second half.

UCF shot 51 percent from the field on the night and 37.5 from behind the arc, knocking down nine threes in the contest. However, the Golden Knights did struggle from the free throw line, going 10-19 on the night while missing 8 of their 11 attempts in the second half.

The Pirates shot better than the Knights percentage wise with marks of 53.5 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 80 percent from the line.

The difference was ECU’s inability to protect the basketball, as it committed 16 turnovers compared to only eight for UCF.

MOD
Mike O'Donnell did not steal the show on senior night like he did last season, but he did have four steals on the night. O'Donnell was able to knock down five threes while finishing the game with 15 points and 8 assists.

UCF's Chip Cartwright brings the ball into the frontcourt as he is guarded by East Carolina's Darrell Jenkins.

Adios
Saturday's game against East Carolina was the last game (at least in the regular season) that the Golden Knights will call the UCF Arena home. Next season, the Knights will be playing next door in the 10,000-seat convocation center. UCF has played their home games in the UCF Arena since 1991 and has compiled a record of 143-81 at home during that span.

Perfect
The Golden Knights defeated the Pirates twice this season and are now 7-0 all time against East Carolina.

Kirk's Future
There has been no word on the future of head coach Kirk Speraw, but that is not holding Speraw back. After the victory over East Carolina, Kirk made an appearance in the stands and even bumped chests with a fan after the victory to celebrate. The UCF coach’s future will not be determined until this season ends.

Kirk Speraw has been stellar in the past five years, as he has compiled 4 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament Appearances during that span.

Who's Next?
UCF will now head to the Conference USA tournament in Memphis to take on the winner of UTEP and Rice. The Golden Knights are a combined 3-0 against the Miners and Owls this season with two of their victories coming on the road. UCF will play the 1 p.m. game on Thursday in the CUSA Quarterfinals after receiving a bye due to finishing the season in the league’s top four. The Knights earned the number two seed in the tournament in only their second season in Conference USA after making the jump from the Atlantic Sun Conference prior to last season.