– West Virginia overcame a significant second-half deficit to defeat UCF 74-67 in Orlando on Saturday, fueled by a strong performance from Honor Huff and a resilient team effort.
Huff led all scorers with 21 points, 18 of which came in the second half, demonstrating a critical shift in momentum for the Mountaineers. He was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, and connected on 5 of 12 field goal attempts. Jasper Floyd contributed 17 points, alongside five rebounds and two steals, while Chance Moore added 12 points and Brenen Lorient chipped in with 11, also securing eight rebounds and two steals.
The victory improves West Virginia’s record to 16-9 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 Conference play. UCF, meanwhile, falls to 17-7 with a 6-6 conference record.
The game saw a dramatic swing in fortunes. UCF established a lead, building a 14-point advantage in the second half. However, West Virginia responded with a 16-3 run, spearheaded by Lorient’s nine points and four from Huff, ultimately seizing control of the contest. The Mountaineers’ comeback was particularly notable given their struggles from beyond the arc earlier in the week, where they managed only two successful three-pointers in 22 attempts against Texas Tech.
Themus Fulks was the leading scorer for UCF with 19 points and seven assists, but his night ended prematurely as he fouled out with just 10 seconds remaining. Riley Kugel added 13 points for the Knights, while Jordan Burks and Chris Johnson each contributed 10. UCF’s interior presence was anchored by John Bol, who recorded five blocks.
The first half concluded with UCF holding a narrow 29-28 lead, achieved through a late 7-0 run. However, the Knights were unable to maintain their advantage as West Virginia’s defensive pressure and Huff’s scoring surge proved decisive in the second half.
The game highlighted a contrast in team performances. While UCF initially capitalized on offensive opportunities, their shooting percentage cooled in the second half, allowing West Virginia to capitalize on turnovers and regain possession. The Mountaineers’ ability to secure crucial rebounds, particularly on the offensive end, also played a significant role in their comeback.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will return home to host Utah on Wednesday. UCF will look to rebound when they host TCU on an unspecified date in February. Both teams will be seeking to build on their conference records as the Big 12 season progresses.
The result underscores the competitive nature of the Big 12 Conference, where even teams with strong records, like UCF, face challenging matchups. West Virginia’s victory demonstrates their capacity to overcome adversity and perform effectively on the road, a crucial attribute as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.
The game also offered a glimpse into the individual contributions that are driving both teams’ success. Huff’s performance for West Virginia and Fulks’ leadership for UCF highlight the importance of key players stepping up in critical moments. The ability of both teams to identify and leverage these individual strengths will be essential as they pursue their respective goals in the Big 12 Conference.
The Mountaineers’ win is particularly significant given their recent struggles with shooting consistency. Their ability to overcome a 14-point deficit despite a relatively poor shooting performance from three-point range speaks to their resilience and determination. This characteristic will be vital as they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks.
For UCF, the loss serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a consistent level of play throughout the entire game. While they established a comfortable lead in the second half, their inability to close out the contest ultimately proved costly. Addressing this issue will be crucial as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against TCU.
