The UCF Knights staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats 66-65 in overtime during the second round of the Big 12 men's basketball tournament on March 11. Trailing by eight points with just over two minutes left in regulation, UCF used an 8-0 run to force the extra period and secured the win with key contributions in overtime. The victory improves UCF's NCAA Tournament resume as they advance to face top-seeded Arizona.
In a high-stakes matchup at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, the eighth-seeded UCF Knights (21-10, 9-9 Big 12) overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to edge the ninth-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats (18-15, 9-9) in overtime. UCF shot just 33.8% from the field but dominated the boards with 18 offensive rebounds, leading to a 17-3 advantage in second-chance points and a 38-10 edge in the paint.
Riley Kugel ignited the late rally with crucial plays during the final 2:06 of regulation, helping UCF tie the score at 58. In overtime, Jamichael Stillwell and John Bol each added four points to seal the victory. UCF coach Johnny Dawkins praised his team's resilience: "I thought our guys had to fight back on numerous occasions, and they were able to do it. But this team has done this all season. Their competitive spirit showed... just their will to win."
Cincinnati's collapse featured three turnovers in the closing minutes, including a 10-second violation and a stolen pass, dropping their win probability to under 5% according to ESPN Analytics. Despite the loss, Bearcats coach Wes Miller argued his team's recent form—seven wins in their last 10 Big 12 games—warrants an NCAA bid.
Former UCF center Moustapha Thiam shone for Cincinnati with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks, though teammate Baba Miller struggled, going 0-for-6 with seven turnovers. The win boosts UCF to 5-7 in Quad 1 games and No. 46 in the NET rankings, potentially clinching an at-large tournament spot after a seven-year absence. UCF next faces Arizona on March 12 at 3 p.m. ET.
