(l-r) UAB Seniors Alexander Scotland-Williamson, Terrence Jones and Karl Moton were honored Wednesday night before their game against Central Florida. (abc3340.com)BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Isaiah Sykes
scored 21 points, posted a double-double and hit two late, key free
throws as Central Florida held off Alabama-Birmingham 74-70 Wednesday
night in Conference USA action.
The Knights (20-10, 9-6), who
beat UAB 64-48 on Jan. 9, faced a tougher foe this time. The Blazers
(15-15, 7-8) led by 13 points before leading 36-35 at halftime.
Central Florida led 62-49 midway through the second half on a layup by Kasey Wilson (15 points). But UAB rallied behind Fahro Alihodzic (15 points), Rod Rucker (16) and Jordan Swing (10).With 2:20 remaining, Alihodzic made the first of two free throws to cut Central Florida's lead to 69-68. Keith Clanton's layup made it 71-68 at the 1:42 mark. After Sykes' two foul shots at 0:17, UCF held on. Sykes finished with 11 rebounds.
Calvin Newell was vital for UCF with 18 points, and Wilson hit four 3-pointers.
Team Stat Comparison
| |
UCF
|
UAB
|
| Points |
74 |
70 |
| FG Made-Attempted |
22-49 (.449) |
25-65 (.385) |
| 3P Made-Attempted |
13-28 (.464) |
6-22 (.273) |
| FT Made-Attempted |
17-26 (.654) |
14-16 (.875) |
| Fouls (Tech/Flagrant) |
15 (1/0) |
20 (0/0) |
| Largest Lead |
13 |
9 |
Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF W-L | TOTAL W-L |
| #20 Memphis |
15-0 |
26-4 |
| Southern Miss |
11-4 |
22-8 |
| UTEP |
9-6 |
16-13 |
| UCF |
9-6 |
20-10 |
| East Carolina |
8-7 |
17-11 |
| UAB |
7-8 |
15-15 |
| Tulsa |
7-8 |
15-14 |
| Tulane |
6-9 |
18-12 |
| Houston |
6-9 |
17-11 |
| Marshall |
6-9 |
13-17 |
| Southern Methodist |
5-10 |
15-15 |
| Rice |
1-14 |
5-24 |
