UCF defeats Mercer 81-63
UCF Dominates at Home in 81-63 Win Over Mercer
In a non-conference matchup at the Addition Financial Arena, host team UCF (UCF) proved too much to handle for visiting Mercer (Mercer), cruising to an 18-point victory of 81-63.
The game's early stages saw Mercer struggling to find its footing on offense. Down by eight points at halftime (35-27 in favor of the hosts), it seemed as though UCF was poised to make a statement in front of their home crowd. However, Mercer managed to stay within striking distance through the second half, thanks largely to a strong defensive effort that limited UCF's scoring opportunities.
One area where UCF's offense truly shone was in its three-point shooting. Jordan Burks (17 points, 4-7 3PT) and Riley Kugel (16 points, 3 assists) both played key roles in stretching the defense and creating space for easier shots. The duo combined to make eight of their 24 three-point attempts from beyond the arc.
In stark contrast, Mercer's offense was hindered by its lack of accuracy from the field, particularly outside of the paint. Brady Shoulders (14 points) struggled to find his shot, going just one-for-one from behind the arc. Despite this, Armani Mighty's ten rebounds and Baraka Okojie's four assists were crucial in keeping the visitors competitive.
The margin between UCF and Mercer was largest at 20 points late in the second half before ultimately settling on a 18-point difference. The hosts' strong defensive play down the stretch proved decisive in the game, as they managed to contain Mercer's offense and capitalize on their own scoring opportunities.
With this win, UCF has demonstrated its ability to compete with top-tier opponents, while Mercer's loss serves as a reminder of how far they still have to go. The addition of home-court victories like this one will undoubtedly play a significant role in the Knights' push for conference supremacy.
Game Stats at a Glance:
- Field Goals: 30/68
- 2-Point FG: 22/44
- 3-Point FG: 8/24
- Free Throws: 13/17
- Rebounds: 44
- Assists: 13
- Turnovers: 12
- Steals: 10
- Blocks: 4
- Field Goals: 20/53
- 2-Point FG: 15/35
- 3-Point FG: 5/18
- Free Throws: 18/24
- Rebounds: 34
- Assists: 7
- Turnovers: 17
- Steals: 7
- Blocks: 4