Lepichev's putback lifts Florida Atlantic over UCF 80-79

Nov 11, 2018, 10:54 pm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Anthony Adger hit four 3-pointers on his way to 19 points and Simeon Lepichev scored on a putback with less than a second to play to lift Florida Atlantic over Central Florida 80-79 on Sunday.

Florida Atlantic (2-0), which trailed the Knights (1-1) 37-31 at halftime, pulled even and then took a 53-51 lead on back-to-back rebound baskets by Xavian Stapleton and Lepichev. It was Lepichev's only other bucket in the game.

The two teams traded leads until UCF went on a 12-0 run, sparked by seven straight points from B.J. Taylor, to take a 66-55 lead with 9:03 left to play. A 3-pointer from Adger ended the run and ignited a 16-4 spurt, capped by Jailyn Ingram's 3-pointer that gave the Owls a 71-70 lead with 3:03 remaining. The lead changed hands seven times from there and Taylor's coast-to-coast layup put UCF up 79-78 with seven seconds left. Michael Forrest missed a short jumper for FAU, but Lepichev secured the rebound and hit the game-winner. It was the Owls' first road game under new head coach Dusty May.

Stapleton had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Owls, while Ingram scored 12 on 5-of-6 shooting. Karlis Silins had 11 points.

Taylor paced UCF with 29 points. Aubrey Dawkins, the son of Knights head coach Johnny Dawkins, added 16 points and five boards.