SUNRISE, Fla. — In an exciting start to the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic doubleheader, UCF secured a victory over Tulsa with a final score of 88-75 on Saturday. Keyshawn Hall made significant contributions late in the game, scoring eight of his 14 points in the last seven minutes, while Jordan Ivy-Curry sealed the win with a timely 3-pointer under a minute remaining.

Dallan Coleman had a standout performance for the Knights, leading the team with a season-high of 20 points and matching his career-best with nine rebounds. Ivy-Curry also made an impact, shooting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc and finishing the game with 16 points along with four assists. Both Hall and Moustapha Thiam contributed 14 points each, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive effort.

On the other side, Keason Willis shone for the Golden Hurricane, hitting 6 of 9 from three-point range to lead his team with 22 points. Dwon Odom also had a strong game, scoring 20 points while providing seven assists, and Matt Reed added a solid 10 points coming off the bench. Odom’s late-game free throws brought Tulsa to a close 70-68 margin with just over five minutes left on the clock.

A crucial moment arrived when Odom attempted to tie the game with a layup, but his shot was blocked by Thiam, who then scored on the other end, increasing UCF’s advantage. Hall’s free-throw shooting and aggressive play fueled a decisive run as the team closed out the game with a 16-7 stretch.

With this victory, UCF improved its record to 8-2, marking their fourth consecutive win as they prepare for one more nonconference matchup before beginning Big 12 Conference competition on December 21 against Texas Tech.