Central Florida 83, Bethune-Cookman 63: Isaiah Sykes came off the bench to record a game-high 22 points, eight assists and eight rebounds as the Knights pulled away in the second half from the visiting Wildcats.
Calvin Newell added 18 points for Central Florida (2-1) while Tristan Spurlock scored a season-high 16 points, hitting 5-of-7 from the floor, including 3-for-3 on 3-pointers, and was 3-for-3 from the foul line to go with a team-high nine rebounds. Matt Williams chipped in nine points as the Knights' bench outscored the Wildcats 39-15.
Maurice Taylor and Ricky Johnson had 15 points apiece for Bethune Cookman (1-2), which was outrebounded 55-24. Malik Jackson added 12 points with three 3-pointers as the Wildcats dropped their second straight.
Bethune-Cookman shot only 35.7 percent from the floor in the first half but held an early 14-8 lead before the Knights went on an 11-4 run to go ahead 29-18. Sykes and Newell scored nine points apiece in the half against the Wildcats' switching defenses as Central Florida led at the half 35-25.
After shooting 3-for-12 in 3-pointers in the first half, the Wildcats hit their first four 3-pointers in the second half to close within 58-51. The Golden Knights answered with an 15-5 run to take command 76-56 with 4:35 remaining with Sykes scoring 13 points in the half to lead the way.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Knights won their ninth straight over the Wildcats. ... Central Florida F Kasey Wilson left the game late in the second half after injuring his ankle. ... Bethune-Cookman was outrebounded on the offensive boards 23-5.
Bethune-Cookman | Central Florida | |
Ricky Johnson 15 | Scoring | Isaiah Sykes 22 |
Ricky Johnson 5 | Assists | Isaiah Sykes 8 |
Daquan Brown 4 | Rebounds | Tristan Spurlock 9 |
Ricky Johnson 6 | Free Throws Made | Calvin Newell 6 |
Ricky Johnson 2 | Steals | Calvin Newell 2 |
Maurice Taylor 2 | Blocks | Eugene McCrory 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Bethune-Cookman | 63 | 39.3 | 7-20 | 12-16 | 11 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
Central Florida | 83 | 43.9 | 8-22 | 17-27 | 14 | 49 | 4 | 4 | 11 |