UCF Blows Out FAMU, 99-69

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Four UCF men's basketball players finished with double digits in scoring Saturday as the Knights crushed Florida A&M, 99-69, at the UCF Arena. The Knights (10-4), who open conference play Wednesday, never trailed and were led by Isaiah Sykes' 22 points.   UCF shot 57.6 percent overall and 50.0 percent from deep. The team's 14 3-pointers tied for fourth on the program single-game register as the hosts totaled a season-high 27 assists on 34 made field goals.   The Knights led 55-28 at the break after shooting 72.4 percent from the floor and 64.3 (9-of-14) from 3-point range in the first half. Sykes scored seven points early as UCF raced out to a 25-6 lead to start the contest. Florida A&M fell to 4-11 with the loss.   "I am really proud of this team," UCF head coach Donnie Jones said. "This is our last non-conference game before we start conference play. We had 27 assists. Florida A&M is a good team that competes and plays hard. They've played a tough schedule. I thought we shared (the ball). I thought we played hard defensively and set the tone early on."   Tristan Spurlock and Keith Clanton both scored 15 points in the win. Spurlock made 3-of-4 shots from deep. In addition to a game-high seven assists, Clanton also totaled six boards and passed Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin for ninth on the Conference USA career rebounds list. The senior has 872 rebounds. Calvin Newell added 11 points for the Knights.   UCF and the Rattlers were meeting for the first time since 2002. Reggie Lewis led Florida A&M with 13 points.   The Knights will now turn their attention to C-USA play. UCF will open its final campaign in the league on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game against UAB at the UCF Arena.

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