Houston hands No. 19 UCF first loss of season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kirk Van Slyke scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half as Houston built a big early lead and held off No. 19 Central Florida 76-71 on Saturday, handing the Knights their first loss of the season.
Zamal Nixon also had 17 points for Houston (9-6, 1-1 Conference USA). Maurice McNeil scored 15 and Alandise Harris added 14.
Keith Clanton and Tom Herzog each scored 13 points for UCF (14-1, 1-1). Leading scorer Marcus Jordan, son of former NBA great Michael Jordan, was held to 10.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Strong shooting and pressure defense gave Houston control from the start as Van Slyke led the Cougars to a 22-8 lead.
On the other end, Jordan, averaging 16.7 points per game, missed his first five field goal attempts, and frustration mounted. Jordan tangled for a loose ball with Houston's Darian Thibodeaux midway through the first half and both players had to be restrained.
In the first half the Knights shot only 5 of 22 from the field, including 1 of 6 from beyond the 3-point arc. Houston, meanwhile, was 14 of 29 from the floor and 5 of 8 on 3s. As a result, the Cougars had a 36-21 lead at halftime.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Knights returned from the locker room with more intensity on defense. Houston's lead dwindled at the start of the second half when UCF pulled within five with 13:24 remaining.
Making matters worse for Houston, Van Slyke got into foul trouble and went to the bench for most of the second half. He received a standing ovation when he returned with 3 minutes left, but moments later fouled out.
A fast-break dunk by McNeil gave the Cougars an 11-point lead with 3:16 remaining, sending the crowd into a frenzy. UCF pulled within three with 9 seconds remaining, but Houston held on.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A.J. Rompza also had 10 points for the Knights.