Taylor scores 24 points, hits key free throws in UCF victory
ORLANDO, Fla. -- B.J. Taylor scored 24 points, including two clutch free throws to seal the win, and Central Florida defeated Temple 78-73 in an American Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday night.
Shizz Alston made two free throws and Nate Pierre-Louis' 3-pointer brought Temple to within 66-63 near the four-minute mark, but the Owls went the next 3:44 without a field goal. Pierre-Louis stopped the drought with a dunk to get Temple back within six points with 16 seconds remaining. Aubrey Dawkins missed two free throws before Quinton Rose's 3 reduce the Owls' deficit to76-73 with six seconds left. Taylor made a pair from the foul line for the final margin.
Tacko Fall had his third double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for the Knights (11-2). Terrell Allen added 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds for UCF, which won its fifth straight and improved to 8-1 at home.
Pierre-Louis led Temple (10-3) with 21 points, Alston added 18 points and Rose 17.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Anthony Jordan
- Chuck Jones
- Clarence Armstrong
2024-25 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State | 0-0 | - | 5-0 |
| Memphis | 0-0 | - | 4-0 |
| East Carolina | 0-0 | - | 5-1 |
| Rice | 0-0 | - | 5-1 |
| North Texas | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Charlotte | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| Tulane | 0-0 | - | 4-2 |
| Temple | 0-0 | - | 3-2 |
| Tulsa | 0-0 | - | 3-2 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0-0 | - | 4-3 |
| South Florida | 0-0 | - | 3-3 |
| UAB | 0-0 | - | 3-3 |
| UTSA | 0-0 | - | 1-2 |
2024-25 Big 12 Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 0-0 | - | 5-0 |
| BYU | 0-0 | - | 4-0 |
| Cincinnati | 0-0 | - | 4-0 |
| Colorado | 0-0 | - | 4-0 |
| Iowa State | 0-0 | - | 3-0 |
| Arizona State | 0-0 | - | 5-1 |
| Texas Tech | 0-0 | - | 5-1 |
| Kansas State | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Oklahoma State | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| TCU | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| UCF | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Utah | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Houston | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| West Virginia | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| Baylor | 0-0 | - | 4-2 |
| Arizona | 0-0 | - | 2-2 |
Men's College Basketball News
