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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Ithiel Horton scored 21 points as UCF beat SMU 85-53 on Sunday.

Horton was 7-of-14 shooting, including 4 for 9 from distance, and went 3 for 4 from the line for the Knights (12-4, 3-1 American Athletic Conference). Taylor Hendricks scored 13 points while going 5 of 8 (1 for 3 from distance), and added eight rebounds. Tyem Freeman recorded 13 points and shot 4 of 5 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line.

The Mustangs (6-10, 1-2) were led in scoring by Ricardo Wright, who finished with 13 points. Efe Odigie added 11 points for SMU. In addition, Keon Ambrose-Hylton finished with nine points. UCF took the lead with 16:16 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 34-25 at halftime, with Horton racking up 12 points.

UCF extended its lead to 66-39 during the second half, fueled by a 9-0 scoring run. Freeman scored a team-high 11 points in the second half as his team closed out the win.
 

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Postgame Notes
UCF 85, SMU 53
UCF (12-4, 3-1 American), SMU (6-10, 1-2 American)
Addition Financial Arena - Orlando, Florida

 
NEXT GAME
 
Tulane – Wednesday, January 11 – 7 p.m. CT – David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum – Dallas, Texas
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KAAM 770 AM | Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)


NOTES
 
Starters: #2 Jalen Smith (G, So.), #10 Zach Nutall (G, Sr.), #11 Samuell Williamson (F, Sr.), #22 Keon Ambrose-Hylton (F, Jr.), #23 Efe Odigie (F, Sr.)

• 1^st career start for Keon Ambrose-Hylton
• OUT - #1 Zhuric Phelps (oblique strain), Emory Lanier (illness)

 
SMU had two score in double figures: Efe Odigie (11), Ricardo Wright (13 - season high)
 
ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES
 
Keon Ambrose-Hylton (#22, Jr., F)

• 1^st career start
• 9 points, 4 rebounds

 
Jefferson Koulibaly (#0, So., G)

• 6 points and 2 steals

 
Zach Nutall (#10, Sr., G)

• 6 points with 3 rebounds
  • Entered game averaging 14.3 points (15^th AAC)
• 3-4 on FTs, entered game shooting 77.3% (14^th AAC)

 
Efe Odigie (#23, Sr., F)

• 11 points, 5 rebounds
  • Entered game averaging 7.1 rebounds (7^th AAC)
  • 6^th game scoring 10+, 2^nd straight
• 3-3 on FTs, entered game 76.7%

 
Zhuric Phelps (#1, So., G) – AAC Player of the Week on Dec. 26, AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Nov. 28

• DNP (oblique strain) - Averaging 17.5 points (4^th AAC), 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals (6^th AAC), 30.9 minutes (14^th AAC)

 
Samuell Williamson (#11, Sr., F) – AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Jan. 2

• 8  points, 3  rebounds, 1 block, 1 steals
  • Entered game averaging 7.1 rebounds (7^th AAC), 1.3 steals (13^th AAC), 1.1 blocked shots (8^th AAC)

 
Ricardo Wright (#5, Jr., G)

• Season-high 13 points (was 11 vs Tulsa 1/1)
  • 2^nd game scoring in double figures this season, bot in past 3 games
• 2-6 on 3FG