Dec. 17, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. - Keith Clanton scored 23 points bocked four shots and pulled down 16 rebounds to lift Central Florida (8-2) to a 61-53 victory over Old Dominion (5-5) on Saturday. ODU was led by Kent Bazemore with 16 and Dimitri Batten with 12.
The Monarchs led 22-20 after a three-pointer by Bazemore with 1:41 left in thefirst half, but UCF finished the half with a layup by Keith Clanton to tie the game, a free throw by Clanton, then a three-pointer by Tristan Spurlock as time ran out for a 26-22 lead.
In the second half, ODU rallied and took a 30-28 lead on a jumper by Donte Hillwith 15:15 left.
UCF then broke open a back-and-forth game with a 12-2 surge late in the second half. Dwight McCombs started the run with a dunk and Clanton finished it with a 3-pointer that just beat the shot clock and gave UCF a 48-37 lead with 6:37 left in the game.
Tonight was the first game for sophomore guard Donte Hill, who transferred fromClemson and red-shirt freshman forward Richard Ross. Both scored six points on thenight. Ross blocked two shots as well.
ODU outrebounded the Knights who are members of Conference USA, 37-35 as ChrisCooper hauled down 10 boards along with five each from Nick Wright and DimitriBatten. Marquel De Lancey added nine points with three assists and two steals.
ODU shot .322 (19-59) from the field, while UCF hit .450 (18-40). The Knights also hit 7-for-12 three-pointers.
Marcus Jordan, son of Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan added 17 points and four assists for UCF.
ODU returns to action Tuesday night when they travel to the University Richmondfor a 7 p.m. contest.