UCF basketball faced a tough loss against Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament’s second round, falling 98-94 in overtime. Jordan Ivy-Curry’s clutch 3-pointer with 14 seconds left in regulation forced the extra period, but the Knights couldn’t maintain momentum. Keyshawn Hall had 25 points, Darius Johnson added 22 before fouling out, and Ivy-Curry contributed 10.
Despite the loss, coach Dawkins praised his team’s effort and execution of the game plan. Kansas advances to the quarterfinals to face Arizona, while UCF’s postseason fate remains uncertain.
The Knights struggled early against Kansas, falling behind 8-0 before finding their rhythm. Johnson led the charge, helping UCF tie the game twice in the first half. Dickinson and Mayo’s strong performances gave the Jayhawks the edge, but UCF fought back with a 12-0 run in the second half to take the lead.
Ivy-Curry’s timely 3-pointer forced overtime, but UCF couldn’t pull ahead. Despite the loss, Ivy-Curry’s return to the starting lineup and Thiam’s performance were bright spots for the Knights.
With their postseason plans undecided, UCF will likely look towards the NIT or College Basketball Crown for opportunities. For further information, reach out to author Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
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