Orlando, FL — Darius Johnson led UCF to a thrilling 64-61 victory over No. 13 ranked Texas A&M on Monday night, scoring a total of 24 points and providing a crucial assist for a slam dunk that gave the Knights the lead in the final moments of the game.
Johnson’s performance included five assists, with one pivotal pass to Benny Williams that allowed the Knights to go ahead 62-61 with just 45.5 seconds left on the clock. Texas A&M struggled in the closing minutes, failing to score in the last 2:13 of the match.
As the game concluded, UCF supporters celebrated by rushing the court after the Aggies missed consecutive three-point attempts.
In addition to Johnson, Jordan Ivy-Curry contributed significantly to the win, adding 16 points, while Keyshawn Hall chipped in with 10 points. For Texas A&M, Pharrel Payne was the top scorer with 15 points and pulled down six rebounds. Wade Taylor IV managed to secure 13 points and seven assists but experienced a challenging shooting night, connecting on just 4 of his 15 attempts.
In terms of team performance, Texas A&M excelled at locking down the interior for the majority of the game. However, foul issues hindered their chances for a larger lead, as the team racked up 17 fouls in the second half, which gave the Knights the opportunity to take 31 free throws, converting 22.
UCF’s efforts on the defensive end were noteworthy, as they blocked 10 shots throughout the contest, including seven in the pivotal second half. Their shooting had been inconsistent for much of the game, but a timely surge in three-point shooting kept them competitive. The Knights finished 8 for 26 from beyond the arc, with Johnson accounting for five of those makes. In contrast, the Aggies struggled with their three-point shooting, making 7 of 23 attempts.
A key highlight came when Williams dunked, sealing the lead for UCF despite their challenges with inside scoring, where they managed only 14 points in that area.
Looking ahead, Texas A&M will kick off a four-game homestand on Friday, facing Texas A&M University-Commerce. UCF, on the other hand, will also continue its own four-game season-opening homestand against Purdue Fort Wayne on the same day.