UCF Falls to Kansas in Overtime in Big 12 Thriller

Kansas City, MO — The UCF Knights faced a heartbreaking defeat in the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament, narrowly losing to the Kansas Jayhawks 98-94 in overtime on Wednesday night.

UCF put up a spirited fight, pushing the heavily favored Jayhawks to the brink. Sophomore guard Zeke Mayo opened strong for Kansas, leading the team with 24 points. His efforts, however, were matched by UCF’s Keyshawn Hall, who recorded a game-high 25 points.

Despite a splendid performance by Hall and standout contributions from senior point guard Darius Johnson, who ended the night with 22 points and 7 assists, UCF was unable to secure the win. Hall’s performance was remarkable as he battled through a lingering calf injury.

In a dramatic conclusion to regulation, UCF tied the game with a three-pointer from Jordan Ivy-Curry just 14 seconds before the buzzer, forcing overtime. The Knights ended the second half on a 15-2 scoring run, showcasing their resilience against the Jayhawks’ strong defense.

In the overtime period, UCF struggled to score, hitting only one basket, while Kansas capitalized on its scoring opportunities. AJ Storr, who scored 18 points, played a pivotal role in the overtime phase for the Jayhawks.

UCF’s Moustapha Thiam missed a crucial game-tying shot in the waning seconds of overtime, rounding off a night filled with highs and lows for the Knights, who concluded their season with a 17-16 record.

The Knights had previously seen success in the tournament, making it to the second round for the second consecutive year, but faced a formidable Kansas team that had previously won all three head-to-head matchups this season.

In their upcoming matchup, Kansas will face the Arizona Wildcats on Thursday night as they continue their bid for the Big 12 Championship.