WRAL Sports Fan

Final Score: UCF 83, East Carolina 73

Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Isaiah Sykes registered his second triple-double this season with 20 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the UCF Knights to an 83-73 decision over the East Carolina Pirates in a Conference USA showdown at UCF Arena.

Tristan Spurlock netted 16 points for UCF (17-6, 7-2 C-USA) while Keith Clanton had 14 points on 6-of-10 from the field. Calvin Newell finished with 13 points and Kasey Wilson had 10 points off the bench.

Despite the loss, Maurice Kemp had a game-high 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds for ECU (13-9, 4-5) while Miguel Paul had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. Ty Armstrong contributed 13 points and nine rebounds and Robert Sampson notched 10 points.

UCF led 48-35 after the first half in which it shot 44.7 percent from the floor and 9-of-19 from behind the arc.

ECU outscored the Knights in the second half after connecting on 46.4 percent from the floor while holding UCF to just 37.1 percent, but the Pirates were unable to overcome the 13-point halftime deficit.

The Knights were careful with the ball throughout the contest, coughing it up just seven times while forcing 16 ECU turnovers.