Contact: Stan Cole

UCF Holds off Campbell 68-61 In A-Sun Opener

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Dexter Lyons came off the bench to tie his career high with 20 points and the University of Central Florida held off a late Campbell rally to defeat the Camels 68-61 in the Atlantic Sun men's basketball opener for both teams on Monday night at Carter Gym.

In a game that was delayed two hours and 40 minutes due to an electrical problem at Carter Gym, the Golden Knights (4-2, 1-0) knocked down 10-of-25 three-point field goals, including 6-of-14 in the first half.

Will Bakanowsky came off the bench to add nine points, while Rob Ross contributed nine – all on threes in the second half – in his first start for UCF.

Sophomore Robby Dupre scored a season-high 13 points and pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds in his first start of the year to lead Campbell (0-6, 0-1). Freshman Anthony Atkinson scored 10 points and dealt six assists. Colin Hunt scored a season-best nine points off the Campbell bench.

UCF hit four-straight 3-point baskets in a 12-3 run that started midway through the first half and took a 32-24 lead at the break. The Golden Knights scored 12 second-chance points in the opening period off nine offensive rebounds, including Troy Lindbeck's triple after he had just missed the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity with 1:10 left.

The UCF lead reached 19 at 63-44 on Bakanowsky's bank shot in the lane with 6:45 to go in the contest. Ross then hit his third trey of the second half with 4:38 remaining for a 66-49 cushion, but UCF did not score a field goal the rest of the way.

UCF went 0-for-2 from the floor and just 2-of-6 from the line in the final 4:00. Campbell, however, made just three field goals (3-6 from the field) in the same span. Dupre's triple from the top of the key cut the final margin to 68-61 with 1.8 seconds left.

The Golden Knights held a 40-33 edge on the glass and turned 14 offensive rebounds into a 16-3 advantage in second-chance points.

UCF shot 47.3 percent (26-55) for the game, 55.6 percent (15-27) in the second half, compared to 40.4 percent (21-52) shooting for the Camels. UCF made just 6-of-15 (.400) from the foul line, while Campbell hit only 14-of-24 (.583) from the stripe.

Campbell hosts Florida Atlantic on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., while UCF travels to Gardner-Webb. FAU defeated Gardner-Webb 95-75 on Monday. [Box Score]