UCF Falls to LSU 85-81 in Exhibition Thriller at Maravich Center
A poor defensive effort and a bad inbounds play in the final seconds cost UCF a victory against LSU in an exhibition game at the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tigers guard Donovan Dent hit a go-ahead basket with eight seconds remaining, followed by a steal from Mo Dioubate that sealed an 85-81 win for LSU on Wednesday night.
The Knights erased an early deficit to tie the game at 81 with 34 seconds left. Eleven players scored for UCF during the matchup, led by Johnson with 18 points. Sixteen of Johnson’s points came during the second half.
Roster Turnovers Shape Early-Season Matchup
Both programs entered the exhibition contest managing massive roster overhauls. UCF replaced 11 players from last season’s squad, blending the new additions with starting center Jon Bol, reserve point guard Carmelo Pacheco, reserve center Elijah Hulsewe, and reserve guard Tanner Jones. Forwards Jason Asemota and Lewis Walker each contributed 13 points to the Knights’ offensive effort.
LSU utilized a six-man rotation throughout the night under coach Will Wade. Wade previously coached the program from the 2017-18 season through 2021-22 before he was fired after an investigation into recruiting violations. Guard Abdi Bashir led all scorers with 26 points for the Tigers, powering a crucial second-half run that erased a UCF lead.
UCF started strong by hitting three of its first four shots to jump to an early 7-2 lead. The offense stalled over the next five minutes, converting just one of 11 attempts as LSU claimed a 17-10 advantage. Walker, a transfer from Villanova, sparked a 9-0 run alongside guards Arturo Dean, Mister Dean, and Johnson to tie the game at 24 in the first half. Asemota scored back-to-back buckets and three 3-pointers to help send the Knights into the locker room with a 47-45 lead.
Upcoming Exhibitions and Regular Season Schedule
The Knights pushed their advantage to 53-45 early in the second half, marking their largest lead of the night. LSU responded with a 15-point run powered by Bashir and center Michael Ruzic to take a 60-58 lead. UCF went nearly four minutes without scoring, shooting 1 of 13 from the floor as the Tigers extended their margin to 69-62.
Johnson answered with eight points over a three-minute span, giving UCF a 75-74 lead. Dioubate drew a foul on a layup to put LSU ahead 80-79, setting up the frantic final seconds. This was the second straight season UCF faced LSU in an exhibition game, following the Tigers’ 75-68 victory at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.
UCF travels to Lexington to face Kentucky in an exhibition game at Rupp Arena on Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. on SECN+. The Knights then open their regular season at Addition Financial Arena on November 2 against Florida Gulf Coast University at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Matchup Details and Schedule Questions
When and where is the next UCF game?
UCF plays an exhibition game against Kentucky at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. The game will air on SECN+.
Who led UCF in scoring against LSU?
Dior Johnson led the Knights with 18 points, scoring 16 of them in the second half. Forwards Jason Asemota and Lewis Walker each added 13 points.
When does UCF begin its regular season?
The Knights open the regular season at home against Florida Gulf Coast University on November 2 at 7 p.m. at Addition Financial Arena, with coverage on ESPN+.