ORLANDO, Fla. — A dramatic layup by J’Wan Roberts with just 1.1 seconds remaining propelled No. 10 Houston to a narrow 69-68 victory over UCF on Saturday night.
Roberts skillfully maneuvered his way to the basket following an inbounds pass, successfully evading the UCF defenders. The Knights were unable to execute a final shot as the clock expired.
In a stellar performance, Roberts accounted for 17 of his total 21 points during the second half, shooting 10-for-17 from the floor. He also contributed significantly on the boards, securing nine rebounds throughout the contest.
Ja’Vier Francis also delivered a solid performance for Houston (14-3, 6-0 Big 12), finishing the game with 16 points along with 10 rebounds. The Cougars faced a halftime deficit of 38-30 but rallied impressively in the second half.
UCF’s Moustapha Thiam, who stands at an impressive 7-foot-2, was a standout player with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Jordan Ivy-Curry added 14 points, while Darius Johnson contributed 13 points for the Knights (12-5, 3-3).
In a thrilling finish, UCF regained the lead with just nine seconds left when Keyshawn Hall executed a drive to the basket, scoring over two defenders. Despite having scored an impressive 40 points in the Knights’ recent triumph against Arizona State, Hall struggled in this game, finishing with only six points on 2-for-12 shooting.
Takeaways from the game indicate that Houston has now won ten consecutive games, maintaining their unbeaten record in the Big 12. Meanwhile, UCF is still fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament and was in desperate need of a prominent win to bolster their resume.
A pivotal moment came at the start of the second half when Houston ignited a 7-0 run that put them ahead 41-40 with 14:39 remaining. This surge shifted the momentum firmly in their favor, instilling confidence that secured the team’s win on the road.
A noteworthy statistic from the game reveals Houston’s challenges against Thiam at times, yet their determination paid off, especially in offensive rebounds. The Cougars amassed 18 offensive boards and dominated the paint, outscoring UCF 48-26.
Looking ahead, Houston will return home to face Utah on Tuesday, while UCF is set to travel to Ames, Iowa, to take on the No. 2 ranked Iowa State also on Tuesday.
