J’Wan Roberts sealed a stellar 21-point performance by sinking the game-winning layup with just 1.1 seconds on the clock, propelling No. 10 Houston to a thrilling 69-68 victory over UCF on Saturday afternoon in Orlando, Florida. The win marked the Cougars’ impressive 10th consecutive triumph.
UCF’s Keyshawn Hall faced a critical moment at the free-throw line with 55.9 seconds remaining and the Knights trailing 67-66. Failing to convert both attempts, Hall’s misstep provided Houston (14-3, 6-0 Big 12) with an opportunity. Despite Terrance Arceneaux drawing a foul, he couldn’t capitalize, missing the front end of a crucial one-and-one.
In a dramatic turn of events, Hall drove fiercely to the basket for a layup at the opposite end, handing UCF a narrow 68-67 advantage. With both teams calling timeouts and just 3.2 seconds left in the game, Houston orchestrated a play that would prove decisive. Executing flawlessly, Roberts received the ball in the post and sank his 10th field goal of the night.
UCF (12-5, 3-3) made two inbound attempts following Roberts’ heroics, the last one after Roberts was penalized for an offensive foul. However, the Knights were thwarted in their attempts to get off a shot, securing their 10th consecutive defeat to the Cougars, who overcame a subpar 3-for-16 shooting performance from beyond the arc.
Roberts also contributed significantly on the boards, grabbing nine of Houston’s total 42 rebounds. Off the bench, Ja’Vier Francis delivered an outstanding performance, notching a season-high 16 points while adding 10 rebounds for his inaugural double-double this season. L.J. Cryer struggled with efficiency, mustering just six points on 2-of-13 shooting.
On the opposing side, freshman Moustapha Thiam showcased a career-best performance, tallying 18 points alongside five rebounds and three blocks for UCF. Despite the valiant efforts, the Knights fell short, extending their losing streak against top-10 opponents to five games. Ivy-Curry contributed 14 points, while Darius Johnson chipped in with 13.
Hall, fresh off a remarkable 40-point outing against Arizona State, endured a challenging night, finishing with a modest six points on a 2-of-12 shooting performance, although he managed to grab 11 rebounds.
Houston found themselves in an unfamiliar position, trailing at halftime for the first time this season, setting the stage for a thrilling second-half comeback.
The victory not only extends Houston’s winning streak but also solidifies their standing as a dominant force in collegiate basketball. The Cougars’ resilience and composure under pressure were on full display as they navigated a tense matchup to emerge victorious once again.
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