STAR CITY, W.Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive struggles and defensive tenacity, the West Virginia Mountaineers used a dominant second-half performance and a game-high 24 points from guard Honor Huff to pull away from the UCF Knights for a 77-62 victory in a Big 12 Conference men’s basketball game Friday night before a crowd of 11,312 at the WVU Coliseum.

The win improved West Virginia to 18-13 overall, while UCF fell to 20-10. The Mountaineers swept the regular-season series, having also defeated the Knights in Orlando on Feb. 14.

The most critical phase of the contest came early in the second half, as West Virginia systematically dismantled UCF’s offensive flow and turned a competitive game into a comfortable lead. After taking a 32-23 advantage into halftime, the Mountaineers opened the final period with stifling defense, forcing three UCF turnovers in the first three minutes. This defensive pressure ignited their offense, allowing them to build a double-digit lead that UCF never seriously threatened.

UCF, which shot a frigid 38.1% from the field for the game and just 18.8% from three-point range, could not find any consistent rhythm. The Knights’ offensive rating of 90.4 on 69 possessions underscored their inefficiency. Conversely, West Virginia, while not shooting lights out at 45.3%, capitalized on trips to the free-throw line, making 21 of 25 attempts, and posted a robust offensive rating of 115.1.

Huff, a guard from Brooklyn, New York, was the catalyst for West Virginia, playing 37 minutes and adding four assists to his 24 points. He was instrumental in the second-half surge, hitting key shots and drawing fouls. Forward Brenen Lorient of Ocala, Florida, provided crucial interior support with 14 points and two blocks in 31 minutes. Guard Jasper Floyd of Tampa, Florida, chipped in 10 points and three assists, while Chance Moore of Brookhaven, Georgia, came off the bench to score 13 points and record a block.

For UCF, guard Riley Kugel of Orlando, Florida, led the way with 16 points, but was held to just 3-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc. Guard Themus Fulks of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, also scored 16 points and dished out four assists. Forward Jordan Burks of Decatur, Alabama, battled inside for 14 points. The Knights’ size, anchored by 7-foot-2 center John Bol of Boma, South Sudan, who blocked two shots, was neutralized by West Virginia’s disciplined defense and shot-blocking, as the Mountaineers finished with six blocks to UCF’s two.

The first half was a defensive slog, with both teams struggling to score. West Virginia managed to carve out a nine-point lead by halftime thanks in part to a 10-2 run late in the period, capped by a Treysen Eaglestaff three-pointer. UCF stayed within striking distance by winning the battle on the offensive glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds in the game to West Virginia’s five, but they converted those second chances into only 11 points.

Any hope of a UCF comeback was extinguished in the opening minutes of the second half. West Virginia’s defense intensified, creating live-ball turnovers that led to easy transition opportunities. A Huff three-pointer at the 15:27 mark pushed the lead to 41-34, and the Mountaineers continued to methodically extend their advantage. When Moore converted a three-point play with just over 12 minutes remaining, the lead ballooned to 47-38, and UCF never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

West Virginia’s ball security was superior, committing only seven turnovers to UCF’s 10, and their ability to get to the foul line and convert proved to be a decisive factor. The Mountaineers attempted 25 free throws to UCF’s 18, making seven more from the stripe in a 15-point victory.

The game’s statistical profile highlighted the contrast in styles. UCF’s effort was evident in their hustle stats—more offensive rebounds and an equal number of steals—but their inability to shoot effectively from any range, coupled with West Virginia’s efficient scoring from the line and timely perimeter shooting, made the difference. The Mountaineers’ victory, as projected by betting markets which had installed them as a 3-point favorite, was built on a foundation of defensive execution in the pivotal second-half stretch that ultimately decided the contest.