The college basketball season tipped off with a bang Monday night as the University of Central Florida Knights pulled off a thrilling 64-61 upset over the No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies. The opening night crowd at Addition Financial Arena erupted as fans stormed the court to celebrate UCF’s gritty win, capped by a standout performance from guard Darius Johnson.
Johnson poured in a game-high 24 points, sinking five three-pointers and adding five assists, including a crucial feed to teammate Benny Williams for a go-ahead slam with less than a minute remaining. Johnson’s court vision was on full display in the final moments, with his assist to Williams putting UCF up 62-61 with just 45.5 seconds left. The Aggies, ranked among the preseason favorites, failed to score in the game’s final 2:13, missing consecutive three-point attempts as the Knights’ defense held strong.
Jordan Ivy-Curry added 16 points for UCF, including two key three-pointers, and Keyshawn Hall chipped in with 10 points. The Knights, though struggling offensively at times, were resilient on defense. They finished the game with an impressive 10 blocked shots—seven of which came in the second half—and limited Texas A&M’s scoring opportunities late in the game.
Pharrel Payne led the Aggies with 15 points and six rebounds, while Wade Taylor IV contributed 13 points and seven assists but struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-15. Texas A&M’s interior defense was stifling for much of the game, but foul trouble proved costly in the second half. The Aggies committed 17 fouls after halftime, allowing UCF to capitalize at the free-throw line, going 22-for-31 on the night.
The Aggies’ defense excelled in the paint, but foul trouble derailed their momentum down the stretch. Their physical interior play created issues for UCF early on, yet the second-half foul disparity allowed the Knights too many free points. This game exposed the importance of foul management and staying disciplined on defense if Texas A&M hopes to live up to its high preseason ranking.
While the Knights struggled offensively, they hung around with timely three-point shooting and stifling defense. Johnson’s leadership and sharpshooting gave UCF the edge it needed. Their 10 blocks were critical in staving off the Aggies and provided the energy needed to close out a top-15 opponent. Although UCF managed only 14 points in the paint, the perimeter shooting made all the difference.
Williams’ slam dunk from Johnson’s assist became the turning point. After struggling with interior scoring throughout the game, that single moment shifted the momentum entirely in UCF’s favor and sent the home crowd into a frenzy, setting up an unforgettable finish.
The Knights leaned heavily on their three-point shooting to compensate for their challenges inside, making 8-of-26 from beyond the arc. Johnson’s five triples kept UCF in the game and ultimately set them up for victory, while Texas A&M shot just 7-for-23 from deep.
Texas A&M will have an opportunity to bounce back as they begin a four-game homestand on Friday against Texas A&M University-Commerce. Meanwhile, UCF will look to build on this impressive win as they continue their four-game season-opening homestand, facing Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday.
Opening night saw UCF capture one of the season’s first marquee upsets, igniting the college basketball season with excitement and energy. If this game is any indication, the Knights could be in for a memorable season.
