LUBBOCK, Texas — In a thrilling Big 12 Conference opener, UCF extended its winning streak to six games with a narrow 87-83 victory against Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

Darius Johnson led the Knights with 24 points, while Keyshawn Hall contributed 22, playing pivotal roles in the contest. Johnson showcased his clutch skills by sinking 3 of 4 free throws in the final 19 seconds after UCF had seen an impressive 18-point lead dwindle to just one point.

The second half began with UCF jumping out to a strong start, executing a 24-12 run during the opening 10 minutes which increased their advantage from eight points at halftime to 71-53. In response, Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian sparked a momentum shift with a three-point play and tallied five points as part of an 11-0 run, bringing the Red Raiders within striking distance at 71-64.

As the game progressed, JT Toppin scored on consecutive possessions, narrowing the gap to 84-83 with just 37 seconds remaining. However, McMillian, who is statistically one of the country’s top three-point shooters with an impressive 53.4% success rate, missed a crucial shot with 11 seconds left, denying Texas Tech a chance for a tie.

Johnson finished the game shooting 7 of 10 from the field, including two three-pointers, and successfully made 8 of 10 shots from the line. Hall had an excellent night as well, going 9 of 13 and sinking all four of his attempts from beyond the arc, while also grabbing eight rebounds. Moustapha Thiam contributed 10 points to the effort.

On the opposing side, Toppin shined for Texas Tech, recording 26 points and 10 rebounds, marking his fifth double-double in six games this season. Teammates Federiko Federiko and McMillian each scored 12 points, while Elijah Hawkins and Darrion Williams both added 11 points to the tally.

Looking ahead, Texas Tech will be traveling to Utah for their next matchup on Saturday, while UCF will return home to face No. 7 Kansas on Sunday.