UCF basketball sets tone for new season with Top 25 upset

UCF guard Jordan Ivy-Curry (0) celebrates with fans as they storm the court after winning the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Dior Johnson (7) and Texas A&M guard Manny Obaseki (35) battle for the ball during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF forward Benny Williams makes a crucial basket with seconds left in the game during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF players celebrate with fans as they storm the court after winning the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Kayshawn Hall slam dunks during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Keyshawn Hall (4) scores over Texas A&M forward Pharrel Payne (21) during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF player Darius Johnson (3) leaps during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF fans cheer during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Nils Machowski (22) leaps in for a slam dunk during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Keyshawn Hall (4) shoots as he is fouled by Texas A&M guard Hayden Hefner (2) during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF player Darius Johnson (3) knocks the ball away from Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV (4) during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF guard Kayshawn Hall slam dunks during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF forward Benny Williams shoots a crucial free throw with seconds left during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Texas A&M guard Manny Obaseki (35) passes during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Texas A&M guard Jace Carter (0) stops UCF forward JJ Taylor (2) during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins yells during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF center Moustapha Thiam (52) blocks a shot by Texas A&M guard Jace Carter (0) during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF forward Rokas Jocius (35) and Texas A&M forward Pharrel Payne (21) push and shove during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF player Darius Johnson (3) celebrates after a three-point shot during the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF fans and cheerleaders celebrate on the court after winning the Texas A&M at UCF college basketball game in Orlando on Monday, November 4, 2024. UCF won the game 64-61.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

With a roster featuring 11 new players, UCF coach Johnny Dawkins knew chemistry would be crucial to the Knights’ success in Year 2 of the Big 12.

That team dynamic would be tested in the season opener against No. 13 Texas A&M, a program coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

To make things even more challenging, UCF was without two key players: guards Jaylin Sellers and Mikey Williams, who were sidelined with injuries.

Yet, here were the Knights hanging tough with another ranked opponent before pulling off a 64-61 upset over the Aggies Monday night. Dawkins’ team rallied from 11 points down with 7:03 left in the second half, earning their first win over a ranked foe in a season-opener in program history.

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It was the fourth win against a ranked opponent in the past two seasons and the 11th overall.

“What an opening game to play against a team with that type of experience, that type of talent,” Dawkins said following the win. “It was great for our team. Bringing in 11 new guys, you don’t know what to expect. They showed me something today. They showed me they could play with some composure and the moment wasn’t too big for them.”

Senior guard Darius Johnson led the Knights with 24 points, his ninth career 20-plus point game and the third in the last six contests dating to last season.

“This is a statement game,” said Johnson, who was 5 of 11 on 3-pointers. “People will underestimate us, but moving forward, we must make people respect us.”

Transfers Jordan Ivy-Curry (16 points), Keyshawn Hall (10) and JJ Taylor (10) stepped up alongside Johnson.

UCF (1-0) struggled shooting, connecting on just 25% (8 of 32) in the first half, but six were 3s. Still, the Knights were tied at the half, 29-29, thanks to a solid defensive effort that limited the Aggies (0-1) to just two baskets in the last 6:30 minutes.

The team bounced back in the second half by shooting 50% (9 of 18) despite losing Hall and starting center Moustapha Thiam, who fouled out late. Thiam, a 7-foot-2 true freshman, finished with 2 points, 4 rebounds and a game-high 6 blocks in 22 minutes.

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Once again, UCF’s defense stepped up in the final minutes, holding Texas A&M scoreless for the final 2:13, allowing the Knights to go on an 8-0 run to close out the game.

“It’s everything that the coach preaches: getting stops late in the game,” said Johnson. “We really fought back. We were preaching in the huddle, ensuring we get stops and limiting them to one rebound or one offensive shot.”

As UCF moves forward, the Knights hope to get Williams and Sellers back soon.

Williams, a redshirt freshman transfer from Memphis, wore a boot on his left foot.

Dawkins said the injury isn’t severe.

“I don’t know what the timetable is … [but] I don’t think he’ll be out of any long period of time,” said Dawkins.

Sellers, a fifth-year senior, went down during the an exhibition win against Florida Gulf Coast last week with an undisclosed injury.

“I’m not sure what Jaylin’s overall status will be, but we’re just looking at it on a more day-to-day basis,” added Dawkins. “We just have to give him kind of time to recover, and he’s in the process of doing that. He’s just sore.”

Matt Murschel can be reached at [email protected]

UCF vs. Purdue Fort Wayne

When: 7, Friday, Addition Financial Arena

TV: ESPN+

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