SMU Falls To UCF

{fshare id=3465}

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Isaiah Sykes posted a double-double and Calvin Newell scored 17 points to lift Central Florida over SMU 74-65 Saturday in a Conference USA matchup.

Tristan Spurlock added 14 points, and Sykes finished with 21 points and 10 boards. Sykes, who hit 7 of 9 free throws, is shooting 88.4 percent (23 of 26) from the free-throw line in conference play after shooting 53.3 percent during nonconference play.

A 15-4 Mustangs’ run tied the game at 63-63 on a Ryan Manuel transition-jumper. SMU was still within 66-65 with just 1:49 remaining. But SMU (11-10, 1-5) could not overtake UCF, as Sykes and Kasey Wilson hit back-to-back layups while the Knights held the Mustangs scoreless the rest of the way.

The Mustangs, who entered allowing opponents to shoot just 39 percent, allowed UCF to shoot 46.4 percent (26-for-56).

Ryan Manuel had 17 for SMU, while Nick Russell added 15 points and Jalen Jones pitched in with 13 points.

The Mustangs conclude their road trip on Wednesday, Jan. 30 when they travel to Huntington, West Virginia to face Marshall. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT with live video, live audio and live stats available at smumustangs.com.