The University of Central Florida Knights secured a victory against the Kansas State Wildcats, improving their record to 1-0. The final score was 82-73 in favor of the Knights, who demonstrated their prowess on both ends of the court. The Wildcats now stand at 0-1 after this encounter.

Jan 14, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; UCF Knights center John Bol (7) shoots against Kansas State Wildcats forward Khamari McGriff (21) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

First Half

The first half saw the UCF Knights take an early lead, scoring 42 points compared to the Wildcats' 28. Zach Johnson played a crucial role in setting up plays with his impressive assists, contributing significantly to the team's offensive flow. The Knights' defense was also formidable, as they managed to limit K-State's scoring opportunities effectively.

Second Half

In the second half, UCF maintained their momentum and added another 40 points to their tally. Riley Kugel emerged as a key player during this period, showcasing his shooting accuracy by converting several critical shots from beyond the arc. His performance helped maintain UCF's lead despite Kansas State's efforts to close the gap.

Jan 14, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Nate Johnson (34) dunks the ball against UCF Knights forward Devan Cambridge (35) during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Key Performances

Chris Johnson stood out for his defensive contributions with multiple steals that disrupted K-State's rhythm and led to fast-break opportunities for UCF. Devan Cambridge also made significant contributions on both ends of the floor with his rebounding and scoring abilities.

Conclusion

The game concluded with UCF maintaining control over proceedings despite Kansas State's late surge in points during the second half. This match highlighted several turning points where strategic plays by key players like Zach Johnson and Riley Kugel made all difference for UCF.

Jan 14, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; UCF Knights guard Themus Fulks (1) shoots against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Fans can look forward to more action when UCF hosts Arizona Wildcats at Addition Financial Arena on January 17th at 4:00 PM EST; tune into ESPN for live coverage! Share this article if you enjoyed reading about your favorite team’s latest triumph!

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