Feb 24, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; UCF Knights guard Carmelo Pacheco (11) reacts to a made three point shot during the first half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

Home » News » National News » Florida » UCF basketball stuns ranked BYU in late-night Big 12 game

Florida

UCF basketball stuns ranked BYU in late-night Big 12 game

by Daytona News-JournalFebruary 25, 2026

The UCF Knights already possessed two ranked wins this season when they arrived in Provo, Utah. But neither looked like this.

UCF dominated BYU, which ranks 23rd in the men’s basketball coaches poll, never trailing during a 97-84 road victory Tuesday, Feb. 24. It boosted the Knights’ record to 20-7 (9-6 in Big 12) and gave them a fifth Quad 1 win, helping their NCAA Tournament standing.

They previously defeated No. 17 Kansas 81-75 and No. 11 Texas Tech 88-80 at home last month.

Join the discussion → Share your thoughts!

Read more from our local writers → Time to Lead - Jeffery Vega

Tuesday’s 11 p.m. tipoff marked the latest of UCF’s season. It didn’t affect the Knights, though.

They scored the first points on a layup by Themus Fulks 33 seconds in. After the Cougars’ freshman phenom, AJ Dybantsa, tied things with a short jumper a few moments later, UCF’s Jamichael Stillwell immediately responded with a 3-pointer, and the rout commenced.

It pushed the lead to double digits for the first time (14-4) less than four minutes after the opening dribble, part of an early 18-4 run that set the tone.

By halftime, the Knights led 52-28. They hit 20 of their first 35 shots, including 11 of 16 from behind the arc.

UCF’s cushion ballooned to 36 points at the 16:31 mark of the second half after it came out of the locker room with a 12-0 run.

BYU (20-8, 8-7) cut the margin to as close as 13 in the final minute with a late run, but it never seriously threatened.

Overall, the Knights converted 56% of their field-goal tries and 58% of their 3-pointers while holding the Cougars to 40% and 33%. UCF assisted on 25 of its 36 buckets.

Dybantsa dropped a game-high 29 points and added eight rebounds.

Fulks and Jordan Burks paced the Knights with 24 points apiece. Fulks polished off a double-double with 11 assists. Stillwell finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The contest was UCF’s last of the regular season against a ranked opponent. It returns to Orlando to host Baylor at 8 p.m. Saturday.

(This story was updated to add more information.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF basketball stuns ranked BYU in late-night Big 12 game

Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Bill Gates 'took responsibility for his actions' over Epstein links, foundation says

Daytona News-Journal

The Daytona Beach News-Journal is the leading news source for Volusia and Flagler counties, delivering trusted coverage of local news, politics, sports, business, and community events. As part of the USA TODAY Network, we are committed to providing timely, impactful journalism that informs and connects the Central Florida community. | All assets – including all text, audio and imagery – are provided by USA TODAY Network. Reuters Connect has not verified or endorsed the material, which is being made available to professional media customers to facilitate the free flow of global news and information.