Iowa State Cyclones vs Central Florida Knights Box Score on Mar 02, 2024

Tre King poured in 16 points and No. 8 Iowa State dominated down the stretch, holding off host UCF 60-52 in a hard-fought game Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

The Cyclones (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) closed the game on an 11-2 run, holding the Knights (15-13, 6-10) to just two points and no field goals over the final 5:08.

King threw down four dunks in the game, going 7-for-11 from the floor, as the Cyclones won their third consecutive game. Milan Momcilovic, Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert scored 11 points apiece.

UCF is 3-6 against ranked teams, with all three wins coming at home, but the Knights didn't have an answer for Iowa State down the stretch despite 13 points from Jaylin Sellers and 11 from Shemarri Allen. Darius Johnson added 10.

Though Iowa State went more than four minutes without a field goal late in the second half, Jones hit two free throws to give the Cyclones a 51-50 advantage with 3:05 to play.

That sparked the backbreaking run that helped Iowa State pull away for good.

The Cyclones, leading 36-29 at halftime, struggled to start the second half. The Knights took advantage, knotting the game at 38-38 with 14:34 to play after Johnson made two free throws.

The game was tied at 42-42 and 44-44 and remained tight the rest of the way.

In the first-ever meeting between the schools, Iowa State shook off a slow start and took its first lead thanks to a couple of free throws by Gilbert with 13:58 left in the opening half.

Those points were part of a 7-0 run, during which the Cyclones forced five turnovers and held the Knights scoreless for 3 1/2 minutes.

UCF was within 27-25 with 5:15 to play after a layup from Sellers, who scored 10 in the first half.

A 9-0 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer and dunk from King, allowed the Cyclones to surge in front, 36-27, before being held scoreless over the last 2:23 of the half.

--Field Level Media