Taylor takes over, leads UCF over South Florida 71-69

Jan 21, 2018, 01:56 am

TAMPA, Fla. -- B.J. Taylor made 10 of 11 free throws on his way to 25 points and handed out five assists to help UCF rally for a 71-69 victory over South Florida on Saturday.

Taylor, playing in his second game for the Knights (13-6, 4-3 American Conference) after returning from a foot injury that had sidelined him since the season opener, hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 23 seconds, to help keep the Bulls (7-13, 0-7) winless in conference play. Chad Brown added 13 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season for UCF, which shot 53 percent (26 of 49) from the floor, but just 59 percent (13 of 22) from the foul line.

Stephan Jiggetts matched his season high with 21 points to pace South Florida. David Collins added 14 points and five assists, while Justin Brown scored 12.

Jiggetts hit two 3-pointers as the Bulls jumped out to a 12-5 lead and his bucket with 4 seconds left gave them a 36-29 lead at halftime. South Florida maintained a second-half lead until Taylor scored five straight points to even the score at 56 with 5:49 left to play. Taylor followed a 3-point play with a 3-pointer and then picked up an assist on Brown's 3-point play to cap off a 9-0 run that gave the Knights a 67-59 lead with 1:11 left to play. South Florida got no closer than three from there.