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Jacksonville pulls away from Central Florida 61-51

Dec 31, 2009 - 3:36 AM ORLANDO, Fla.(AP) -- Ben Smith scored 20 points to lead Jacksonville to a 61-51 victory over Central Florida on Wednesday night.

Jacksonville (3-7) led by 15 points in the first half, but the Knights rallied in the second half and took a 50-49 lead on Isaac Sosa's jumper with 2:36 left in the game.

UCF, however, scored only one more point and the Bulls finished the game on a 12-1 run to win the UCF Holiday Classic.

Lehmon Colbert's 3-pointer gave Jacksonville a 52-50 lead with 2:17 left and Smith hit another 3-pointer for a 55-50 advantage with 1:19 remaining.

Smith, who has scored at least 20 points in three straight games, was 5-for-11 from the field and 7-for-10 from the free throw line.

Sosa led UCF (8-5) with 12 points and Keith Clanton had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Jacksonville defeated Buffalo 83-73 and UCF knocked off Liberty 82-58 in Tuesday's first round games.