UCF defeats No. 11 Texas Tech 88-80 in Orlando, extending Knights’ Big 12 surge

Knights control interior play and close strong late against a ranked conference opponent

UCF men’s basketball delivered a signature Big 12 result Saturday in Orlando, defeating No. 11 Texas Tech 88-80 and strengthening its position in the conference race. The win pushed the Knights to 17-4 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play, while the Red Raiders fell to 16-5 and 6-2.

Themus Fulks led UCF with 21 points and provided the defining basket in the final minutes, converting a jumper with about a minute remaining to help ignite a late closing run. The Knights led for nearly the entire afternoon, holding the advantage for all but 1:20 of game time, but still faced a tense finish after a turnover reduced their margin in the closing sequence.

UCF’s edge was built in the paint and on the glass, where the Knights repeatedly created extra possessions and limited second chances.

UCF finished with a 35-23 rebounding advantage, a margin that reflected the game’s central dynamic: the Knights’ ability to win interior matchups against a Texas Tech team that entered the matchup ranked and positioned near the top of the Big 12 standings. That rebounding control also helped UCF withstand late-game pressure and maintain offensive rhythm when the Red Raiders tried to close the gap.

Texas Tech was paced by J.T. Toppin, who scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The performance marked his 13th double-double of the season and his 10th in the past 12 games, underscoring his role as the focal point of the Red Raiders’ offense. However, Texas Tech missed chances to narrow the deficit in the final stretch as UCF continued to generate key stops and convert possessions down the line.

What the result means in the Big 12 context

For UCF, the victory represented its third consecutive conference win, a milestone the program had not reached since joining the Big 12 three seasons ago. The result also offered a data point about how UCF can compete with ranked opponents: by sustaining a physical presence inside, limiting transition breakdowns, and finishing possessions with rebounds.

• Final score: UCF 88, Texas Tech 80
• Records after the game: UCF 17-4 (6-3 Big 12), Texas Tech 16-5 (6-2 Big 12)
• Key performers: Themus Fulks (21 points), J.T. Toppin (27 points, 10 rebounds)
• Decisive team statistic: UCF rebounding advantage, 35-23

With the Big 12 standings tightly packed, the outcome in Orlando added pressure to the upper tier while giving UCF momentum heading into the next phase of conference play.