The frustration offensively was seen in A.J. Davis’ cameo through the first half.
He came in and committed two fouls in four minutes after making one 3-pointer. He checked back in midway through the half and committed another foul in short order.
His first half stat line of three points, three fouls in five minutes in the first half put the Knights in an incredible hole. Already not a particularly strong offensive team, UCF could only stay afloat until the onslaught came or survive until Davis came back in. and even that is no guarantee as there just is not consistency with this team.
Matt Williams struggled to get going in the first half and eventually Houston pulled away.
The Cougars took a 15-point lead by halftime and cruised to an 82-58 win at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston on Saturday.
The Knights were never really in the game through the second half.
Williams ended up being the top scorer with 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Davis ended the game with just five points in 25 minutes. Chance McSpadden came off the bench for 10 points.
The Cougars just had much more balanced and poised scoring. They attacked the basket strong throughout the game and dug out rebounds against UCF. The Knights could not keep themselves in contact once the Cougars got rolling.
Houston took 22 free throws, making 18 and shot 50.0 percent from the floor. All this without a strong 3-point-shooting performance — 2 for 13 in the game.
Devonta Pollard scored 16 points off the bench and LeRon Barnes and Danrad Knowles scored 13 each.
Houston was the more aggressive and determined team throughout, extending the lead late with UCF unable to consistently score.
That has been the Knights’ issue throughout the season. They have been able to play relatively even with teams except for five minute stretches where the offense goes dry or they are unable to get stops.
That came at the end of the first half when Houston held UCF scoreless for the final 3:44 and extended the lead to 15 points at 40-25. UCF could not create a good shot or get many stops consistently.
That has been a big story throughout the season. Particularly with the injuries to B.J. Taylor and Adonys Henriquez.
The Knights again faced one of the better teams in the American and faltered.
