Down 15 in second half, UCF storms back to stun Texas

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th January, 22:22 2024

Texas Longhorns guard Tyrese Hunter (4) holds back UCF Knights guard Shemarri Allen (2) as they run after the ball during the game against University of Central Florida at the Moody center in Austin, Texas Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2023. credits: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jaylin Sellers poured in 24 points to lead a balanced offensive attack as UCF roared back from 16 points down to stun Texas 77-71 on Wednesday in a Big 12 Conference matchup in Austin, Texas.

The Knights (11-5, 2-2 Big 12) still trailed by 15 with 14:30 to play but roared back to take the lead at 63-62 on a Darius Johnson 3-pointer with 7:21 remaining. Texas answered with a 3-pointer by UCF transfer Ithiel Horton to go back in front.

UCF went in front for good when Shemarri Allen hit a layup with 2:51 remaining. The Knights expanded their lead to seven on a pair of free throws by Sellers with 31 seconds left and Texas never got closer than four the rest of the way.

Allen added 17 points for UCF, with Johnson scoring 11 and C.J. Walker and Omar Payne chipping in 10 each.

Horton led the Longhorns (12-5, 1-3) with 20 points while Max Abmas and Dillon Mitchell added 15 each. Texas shot just 34.5 percent in the second half.

The Longhorns took charge early, scoring 15 of the game's initial 17 points and running off a 13-0 surge capped by a free throw by Mitchell for a 15-2 lead five minutes into the first half. A dunk by Kadin Shedrick with 12:34 to play in the half pushed the Texas lead to 16 points.

UCF swung back, forging an 8-1 run punctuated by a 3-pointer from Sellers with 7:42 remaining before halftime to pull to within 23-16. A 3-pointer by Johnson at the 4:12 mark cut the Knights' deficit to 32-26. UCF was still as close as six until the Longhorns reeled off a 7-2 burst over the final 2:25 to carry a 44-32 advantage to the break.

Horton led Texas with 14 points before halftime, with Sellers matching that total for the Knights. The Longhorns outshot UCF 68 percent to 48 percent over the first 20 minutes and forced the Knights into 11 turnovers.

Texas led 55-40 after a jumper by Horton with 14:30 left. That's when the Knights turned it up a notch, roaring back to take their first lead of the game when Johnson canned a 3-pointer with 7:21 to play to make it 63-62.

—Field Level Media

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