There was bound to be a learning curve when you’re dealing with a roster that featured 13 newcomers.

UCF found that out the hard way as the Knights seemed out of sorts at times throughout the night before finally putting away a pesky Hofstra team, 82-78, in the season opener on Monday night at Addition Financial Arena.

The Knights are 9-1 in season openers under coach Johnny Dawkins.

Hofstra found itself in foul trouble throughout much of the game and it caught up with the Pride as UCF went to the free-throw line 36 times, connecting on 22 shots before pulling away late.

Riley Kugel led the Knights with 19 points, while Jordan Burks had 17 and Themus Fulks had 16 — 13 in the second half.

UCF grabbed an early 5-2 lead to open the game, but Hofstra responded with a 14-1 run over a five-minute stretch that caused unease among the home crowd.

Kugel would step up considerably, sinking the first 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead to 16-10 halfway through the first half. He followed it up with a fast-break pass to Burks for a dunk, and then a few plays later, the senior guard was fouled while connecting on a 30-foot shot that tied the game at 18 and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Burks’ layup with 7:15 gave the Knights their first lead since the 17:32 mark.

After being sporadic offensively throughout much of the first half, UCF found its footing, connecting on six of its next seven shots. Hofstra, on the other hand, missed on three of its next four shots.

The Knights built up a 9-point lead before the Pride cut it to 36-32 at the half.

Hofstra retook the lead at 53-51 with 12:59 left in the second half after Preston Edmead was fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Burks hit a 3-pointer to give UCF the lead back at 54-53.

The Pride had four players in double-figures, led by David Cruz’s 17 points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

In their season opener on Monday at Addition Financial Arena, UCF’s women’s basketball team showcased a relentless defense against Bethune-Cookman, restricting the Wildcats to just two field goals in the first quarter as the Knights built a comfortable double-digit lead while cruising to a convincing 75-36 victory.

UCF scored 38 of its points off 26 forced turnovers by B-CU.

“That’s how we’re going to have to score until we get our chemistry down and become a better half-court offensive team, points off of turnovers,” said coach Sytia Messer. “I feel our player did a good job. If we can continue to do that, that’s going to help us reach our goal this season.”

The Knights had 11 players score in the game, led by Leah Harmon, who had 14 points and Khyala Ngodu, Jacorri Bracey and Savannah Scott with 10 points apiece.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/11/03/ucf-knights-open-basketball-season-against-hofstra/