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UCF upsets No. 4 UConn, snaps 16-game win streak

Nov 26, 2011 - 9:37 AM Paradise Island, Bahamas (Sports Network) - UCF halted No. 4 Connecticut's nation-leading, 16-game win streak with a 68-63 comeback victory in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Marcus Jordan and Keith Clanton both poured in 20 points for UCF (4-1), which advanced to play Harvard in Saturday's title game.

The Knights outscored Connecticut 39-25 over the final 20 minutes of play to dispatch the defending national champions.

"I'm just really proud of our team today," said UCF coach Donnie Jones. "We never tucked our heads and we just kept fighting."

Jeremy Lamb scored 15 points, while Alex Oriakhi added 14 points and Andre Drummond finished with 13 for the Huskies (5-1), who suffered their first loss since March 5.

The Knights, who had never before taken down a fourth-ranked team, trailed by as many as 17 points early in the second half.

They rallied, though, as Jordan's three-pointer capped a 17-2 run and cut the deficit to 52-50 with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Lamb answered immediately with a three-pointer, triggering a frenzied back- and-forth spurt.

With 3:11 remaining, Jordan -- who scored 17 second-half points -- grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put-back attempt. He sank both free throws, giving the Knights a 58-57 lead.

"My shot was not falling," said Jordan. "I wanted to get into the paint, be more aggressive and draw fouls."

Isaiah Sykes added to the advantage with back-to-back layups before Drummond scored to make it 62-59 with just over a minute remaining.

The Knights closed the game from the charity stripe, as Jordan hit 4-of-4 free throws and Tristan Spurlock sank a pair to seal the improbable victory.

UCF, which defeated College of Charleston in Thursday's opener, held an early 8-7 lead. The Huskies, though, reeled off a 10-2 run to establish control midway through the opening half.

Oriakhi provided a spark over the first 20 minutes of play, scoring nine points on 3-of-5 shooting to go with four boards and a pair of blocks. Lamb added eight points over that span and nailed a step-back jumper to give UConn a 38-29 lead at intermission.

Game Notes

Jordan is the son of NBA legend Michael Jordan...Clanton hit a career-high four three-pointers...The Huskies' last loss came on March 5 against Notre Dame...This was the first game between UCF and Connecticut since December 20, 2009. The Huskies won that contest 60-51.