The UCF Knights (6-2) escaped Saturday with a 53-51 win over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3-6), overcoming an eight point Wildcats lead with just over six minutes to play in the ball game. It was UCF's seventh straight win over Bethune-Cookman.
The Knights played without star guard Marcus Jordan, suspended for the game for violating unspecified team rules. He was replaced in the starting lineup by his older bother Jeff. It was Jeff Jordan's first start ever for the Knights.
UCF was led by Isaiah Sykes, who scored 15 points in the game, including the last eight points the Knights scored. Sylkes also sank two free throws with 3.5 seconds left to provide the margin of victory. Keith Clanton added a double-double for the nights, grabbing 10 boards to go along with 13 points.
Kevin Dukes and Garrius Holloman led Bethune-Cookman, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. Dukes, a 79 percent free throw shooter, missed a free throw with under twenty seconds left that would have given the Wildcats a one point lead.
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