UCF opens season with court-storming 64-61 win over No. 13 Texas A&M

Darius Johnson scored 24 points and assisted connected a go-ahead slam dunk pinch little than a infinitesimal remaining to lead UCF to a 64-61 triumph complete No. 13 Texas A&M

Orlando, Fla. -- Darius Johnson scored 24 points and assisted connected a go-ahead slam dunk pinch little than a infinitesimal remaining to lead UCF to a 64-61 triumph complete No. 13 Texas A&M connected Monday night.

Johnson had 5 assists, including nan walk to Benny Williams that helped put nan Knights up 62-61 pinch 45.5 seconds left. The Aggies didn't people successful nan last 2:13.

UCF fans stormed nan tribunal aft Texas A&M missed back-to-back 3-pointers to extremity nan game.

Jordan Ivy-Curry added 16 points for UCF. Keyshawn Hall scored 10.

Pharrel Payne led nan Aggies pinch 15 points and had six rebounds. Wade Taylor IV had 13 points and 7 assists but made only 4 of his 15 shots.

Texas A&M: Locked up nan interior for astir of nan game, but foul problem prevented nan Aggies from pulling away. They committed 17 fouls successful nan 2nd half, allowing nan Knights to sprout 22 for 31 from nan free-throw statement successful nan game.

UCF: Struggled to sprout astir of nan nighttime but stayed successful nan crippled acknowledgment to immoderate timely 3-point shooting and, astir importantly, defense. The Knights blocked 10 shots, including 7 successful nan 2nd half.

Williams' slam put nan Knights up for bully connected a nighttime they struggled shooting connected nan interior. They vanished pinch conscionable 14 points successful nan paint.

The Knights relied heavy connected their 3-point shooting, making 8 for 26 successful nan game. Johnson made 5 3-pointers. Texas A&M changeable 7 for 23 from beyond nan arc.

Texas A&M originates a four-game homestand connected Friday against Texas A&M University-Commerce.

UCF continues its four-game season-opening homestand against Purdue Fort Wayne connected Friday.

___

Get canvass alerts and updates connected AP Top 25 hoops passim nan season. Sign up here. AP assemblage basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball