UCF vs. Memphis Post-game Celebration (1 of 2)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/knights/os-ucf-memphis-0119-201...

UCF basketball earns historic 68-67 win over Memphis

By Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

10:50 p.m. EST, January 18, 2012
UCF forward Keith Clanton hit a freethrow with 4.0 seconds left, helping the Knights (14-4, 4-1 in Conference USA) claim a historic 68-67 win over Memphis (12-6, 3-1 in C-USA) Wednesday night at UCF Arena.

It was the Knights' first victory in school history over the Tigers. Memphis entered the game with a 10-0 all-time record against the Knights. With the victory, UCF extended its home winning streak to 16 games.

UCF fans rushed the court to celebrate the victory with UCF basketball team. The contest drew an announced crowd of 8,734, the fifth-largest crowd in school history. The group included NBA legend Michael Jordan, who was on hand to cheer on his son, junior guard Marcus Jordan. Jordan was on his feet applauding while fans on the court congratulated the team.

The Knights held a lead against the Tigers for most of the second half, but Memphis chipped away at the advantage and it appeared it might be a repeat of UCF's loss on a last-second 3-pointer by Antonio Barton last season.

Memphis' Joe Jackson hit a 3-pointer with about 54.6 seconds left to push the Tigers ahead of UCF with 37.5 seconds left. The Knights' offense had been struggling to knock down shots, but the rabid crowd helped UCF stay in the game.

Marcus Jordan drove to the basket and his shot was blocked. The deflected ball went off Clanton with 24.1 seconds left.

After a timeout, UCF junior forward Josh Crittle fouled Barton, who missed the front end of a one-and-one freethrow attempt. UCF got the ball back and called timeout, giving the Knights 15.1 seconds to set up a final shot.

Jordan passed to senior guard A.J. Rompza, who missed. Clanton grabbed the offensive rebound, scored and hit one freethrow with four seconds remaining.

Memphis never got a good look at the basket on its final possession. Rompza stole the ball in the backcourt and launched the ball in the air as time expired.

Sophomore guard Will Barton led Memphis with 24 points, while guard Chris Crawford added 12 points.

Clanton led UCF with 23 points, while Jordan chipped in 20.

UCF sophomore guard Isaiah Sykes, a key player for the Knights all season, was sidelined most of the second half with what appeared to be an injury to his abdomen. The Knights managed without him in the lineup, exploiting Memphis' weaker inside lineup. The Tigers were playing without freshman forward Adonis Thomas, who was supposed to help guard Clanton.

Copyright 2012, Orlando Sentinel

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