By By Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — Jermaine Taylor scored 36 points, converting a three-point play with 28 seconds left, to propel UCF to a 74-71 win over East Carolina on Saturday night in the Conference USA regular-season finale for both teams.
Taylor, the nation’s third-leading scorer (26.2), helped the Knights (17-13, 7-9) snap a four-game skid with his late heroics on senior day.
After Taylor’s late layup and free throw gave UCF a 72-71 lead, the Pirates (13-16, 5-11) attempted to hold the ball for a last shot. But Sam Hinnant, who scored 22 for ECU, was called for an offensive foul with 2.7 seconds remaining while driving down the lane. Taylor Young hit two free throws for the final margin.
UCF 74, EAST CAROLINA 71
EAST CAROLINA (13-16)
Morrow 2-2 3-4 7, Legan 5-10 0-1 13, Hinnant 8-12 0-0 22, Young 2-8 2-2 6, Abrams 3-8 6-6 13, Turner 1-4 0-1 2, O’Bryan 1-1 0-0 2, Wynn 3-4 0-0 6. Totals 25-49 11-14 71.
UCF (17-13)
Zondervan 5-6 5-7 15, Tyler 1-7 0-0 3, Taylor 12-31 7-8 36, Rompza 0-4 0-0 0, Sosa 1-5 0-0 3, Weathers 2-4 0-0 4, Young 0-1 2-2 2, Baez 2-5 0-0 5, Gaynor 3-4 0-0 6, Yotio 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-67 14-17 74.
Halftime—East Carolina 37-23. 3-Point Goals—East Carolina 10-22 (Hinnant 6-9, Legan 3-6, Abrams 1-5, Turner 0-1, Young 0-1), UCF 8-28 (Taylor 5-14, Tyler 1-4, Baez 1-4, Sosa 1-5, Young 0-1). Fouled Out—Hinnant, Morrow. Rebounds—East Carolina 30 (Young 6), UCF 37 (Taylor, Zondervan 8). Assists—East Carolina 14 (Young 7), UCF 16 (Baez, Rompza, Weathers, Young 3). Total Fouls—East Carolina 17, UCF 18. A—4,788.