USF fends off 2nd-half UCF rally to advance to the 2nd round of the NIT

ORLANDO, Fla. — The latest victory in the War on I-4 went to USF on Tuesday night.

Selton Miguel scored 19 points off the bench to help the Bulls defeat the UCF Knights 83-77 in the first round of the NIT.

USF advanced to the second round and will next face the winner of Wednesday night’s Villanova vs. VCU matchup. The time, date and location of the next game will be announced after that game. The loss ended UCF’s season.

“Really cool game to see two teams that compete at a high level with two passionate fan bases behind them,” USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim said. “I’m just thankful that we came out victorious. Really proud of our group because coming on the road in a Big 12 environment and getting a win like this just continues to establish the things we want to do and who we want to be as a program.”

The victory marked USF’s first in the NIT since a 75-59 victory against Coppin State in 1995 and its fifth all-time in the event. It also set a team record for wins in a season with 25.

The Bulls unleashed a barrage of 3-pointers early and took a 49-35 lead heading into halftime. They finished with a program-record 13 3-pointers.

“Seeing a team make nine 3s in the first half, they did a good job of moving the ball and sharing it, and playing off each other,” UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. “They made us pay when they got their looks.”

The game got chippy in the second half, and the Knights fought back to close the Bulls’ lead to 57-55 with 12 minutes, 45 seconds remaining. But USF answered every UCF run. The Knights saw Ibrahima Diallo and guard Darius Johnson pick up their fourth fouls, and they could not get any closer.

Miguel shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 4 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 6 from the line for the Bulls (25-7).

Kasean Pryor scored 17 points while going 5 of 12 from the floor, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line and added eight rebounds. Jose Placer shot 5 for 6, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points.

Jaylin Sellers finished with 24 points, six rebounds and two steals for the Knights (17-16). Marchelus Avery added 19 points, nine rebounds and four steals for UCF. Johnson finished the game with 14 points and four assists after sitting out a chunk of the second half with the four fouls.

Placer scored 12 points in the first half for USF, who led 49-35 at the break. Pryor led Bulls with 10 points in the second half.

Abdur-Rahim said after the game that he thought it would be good for both teams and basketball in the state of Florida if the teams could continue to play and keep the in-state rivalry alive. But for now, he said he was happy for the team and its fans that the Bulls have bragging rights until they meet again.

He added that the Bulls need to put their excitement over winning Tuesday night’s game behind them, however, and to refocus on preparation for their next NIT game.