KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Themus Fulks orchestrated a second-half surge and UCF overcame a double-digit deficit to remain red-hot, edging Florida Atlantic 85-80 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium.

The Knights, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, outscored the Owls 52-42 after halftime to secure their eighth consecutive victory and improve to 11-1. Florida Atlantic fell to 8-5 with the road loss.

The most important part of the game was UCF’s decisive transformation after intermission, flipping the script with a blistering transition attack. After managing just 33 points and six fast-break points in the first half, the Knights exploded for 52 points in the second, fueled by 17 fast-break points. This relentless pace overwhelmed the Owls, who had controlled the game’s tempo early.

Fulks, a 6-foot-1 guard from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was the catalyst for the comeback. He finished with a game-high 24 points and dished out 12 assists, consistently breaking down the Florida Atlantic defense to create easy opportunities. His playmaking was pivotal during a 19-7 UCF run early in the second half that erased the Owls’ five-point halftime lead and put the Knights ahead for good.

Florida Atlantic had built its early advantage behind efficient shooting and the interior presence of Xander Pintelon. The 6-11 sophomore from Bruges, Belgium, scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, and added two blocks. Devin Williams contributed 13 points and four blocks for the Owls.

UCF’s balance proved overwhelming. Alongside Fulks, Riley Kugel scored 18 points, Jamichael Stillwell added 15, and Jordan Burks chipped in 14. Seven-foot-two center John Bol, from Boma, South Sudan, provided a key interior presence with 11 points and was a force defensively, altering numerous shots.

The Owls led 38-33 at halftime, thanks to a strong start and 48% shooting from the field. Pintelon and Kanaan Carlyle, who had 15 points and four assists, hit early threes to establish an 18-8 lead. UCF struggled offensively, shooting just 39% in the period and committing eight turnovers.

The game turned completely in the opening minutes of the second half. UCF came out with intensified defensive pressure, forcing Florida Atlantic into rushed shots and turnovers that ignited their fast break. A steal and dunk by Kugel, followed by a driving layup and a step-back three from Fulks, highlighted a rapid 9-2 spurt that gave UCF a 42-40 lead, its first since the game’s opening basket.

Florida Atlantic stayed within striking distance, largely due to Pintelon’s scoring. His three-pointer with 3:36 left cut UCF’s lead to 73-70. But every time the Owls threatened, Fulks and the Knights had an answer. Fulks found Bol for a short jumper, and after a Florida Atlantic turnover, he fed Kugel for a critical dunk in transition to push the lead back to seven with just over a minute remaining.

The Owls made a final push in the closing seconds. Williams tipped in a miss with nine seconds left to make it 83-80. After Burks made two free throws for UCF, Florida Atlantic’s last-second three-point attempt was off the mark, and Pintelon’s tip-in at the buzzer provided the final margin.

UCF dominated points in the paint, 46-40, and capitalized on its transition game, outscoring Florida Atlantic 23-6 on fast breaks. The Knights also won despite being outscored 15-11 off turnovers.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 1,057. UCF’s next game is a major home test against Kansas on Jan. 3. Florida Atlantic returns home to face Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 31.