KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Keyshawn Hall led the charge for UCF with 23 points, helping propel the Knights, the 14th seed, to an impressive victory over 11th-seeded Utah with an 87-72 win in the Big 12 Tournament’s opening round on Tuesday night. This victory came as four Knights players hit double figures, setting the stage for a clash against the sixth-seeded Kansas on Wednesday, as UCF eyes a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Darius Johnson contributed significantly with 20 points, Jordan Ivy-Curry added 15, and Moustapha Thiam rounded out the offensive showcase with 14 points. Despite Utah’s strong start, with a 21-9 lead, UCF gradually closed the gap, and Hall’s crucial 3-pointer just before halftime brought the score to 40-39, energizing his team.
Starting the second half with a bang, the Knights surged through a dominant 24-3 run, establishing a 63-43 advantage with under 13 minutes left, effectively securing the win. Keanu Dawes emerged as Utah’s top performer with 21 points, but his efforts couldn’t push the team past their opponents after losing previously to UCF.
Josh Eilert, who previously led West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament as an interim coach, stepped in for Utah on Tuesday. The program has already appointed Alex Jensen, a notable figure from the school’s 1998 Final Four team, and a recent assistant to the Dallas Mavericks, as their coach once the current season ends.
Key performance by UCF guards was a highlight of their win; however, concerns remain about their ability to handle formidable opponents like Kansas, given potential issues in their inside game. Meanwhile, Utah struggled to regain momentum, with a string of missed shots in the second half contributing to their struggles.
Hall’s pivotal 3-pointer at the end of the first half served as a major turning point for the Knights, who capitalized on the shift in energy and carried that momentum through to the final buzzer. Notably, Utah struggled with their shooting behind the arc, only landing 4 of 26 attempts.
The Knights are now preparing to face Kansas the following Wednesday night, hoping to avenge their regular-season defeats to the Jayhawks.
