December 1, 2002



NEW ORLEANS - Ray Abellard and Ed Dotson combined for 46 points and the UCF defense allowed just 24 second-half points as the Golden Knights were able to put away a pesky Maine squad 72-55 in third round action at the University Hoops Classic at Fogelman Arena Saturday afternoon.

UCF (3-1) will advance to the championship game against Indiana State on Sunday, Dec. 1 with tip-off set for 5 p.m. The Golden Knights are the only team to remain unbeaten after its first two games.
Dotson, who also led the team with seven rebounds, scored a career-high 20 points including 12 in the second half. UCF was unable to put Maine (1-3) away and watched a three-point lead at the half evaporate as the teams were tied at 36 apiece with 18:31 remaining. The combination of Dotson and Abellard quickly helped UCF regain the lead after Dotson threw down a two-hand dunk off an assist from Roberto Morentin and Abellard converted a traditional three-point play to put the Knights up 41-36. UCF would not surrender the lead again, although it would be cut to two with nearly nine-and-a-half minutes remaining in the second half. Missed opportunities and turnovers by both teams kept the game close until UCF finally got some breathing room when Abellard hit one of his five three point shots with just over four minutes to play to give UCF a nine-point advantage at 64-55.

    The start of the first half saw UCF jump out to a 14-7 lead behind 10 points from Abellard, which included two shots from behind the arc. With the Knights up 9-7, Abellard supplied some instant offense. After hitting a three-pointer, the senior guard stole the inbounds pass and laid it in for a quick five-point swing.

    After Troy Lindbeck hit a three to put UCF ahead 24 to 16, the Black Bears made a push for the lead and came within one after Clayton Brown hit a three making the score 24-23. Despite being held scoreless for the final 3:55 seconds in the first half, UCF led 34-31.

    UCF, who was led by Abellard's 26 points, shot 49 percent from the floor and 41 percent from behind the arc. The Golden Knights shot a perfect 9-of-9 from the line. The Knights out rebounded the Black Bears 38-26.

    Maine was led by a pair of 12-point scorers in Brown and Eric Dobson. Brown also led the Black Bears with eight boards. As a team, Maine shot 40 percent from the floor and 31 percent from behind the arc.

    UCF and Indiana State will be meeting for the first time in school history as the Golden Knights try and win the six-team holiday tournament.
 

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