UCF rallies from 12-point deficit to edge Arizona State

Jordan Burks hits go-ahead 3-pointer and forces late turnover to lead Knights' comeback victory

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31am

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Jordan Burks hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and forced a turnover in the final 34 seconds as UCF rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to pull off a 79-76 Big 12 win over Arizona State on Tuesday night in Orlando, Florida. Riley Kugel paced the Knights with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Burks added 15 points and three steals. Maurice Odum produced 18 points and six assists for the Sun Devils, who led for most of the second half before UCF's late comeback.

Why it matters

This comeback victory for UCF is an important win for the Knights as they look to improve their standing in the competitive Big 12 conference. Arizona State, meanwhile, has now dropped to 2-6 in conference play, making this a tough loss for the Sun Devils as they try to turn their season around.

The details

UCF trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half before mounting a furious rally in the final minutes. Burks hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining to give the Knights their first lead since early in the game. He then came up with a crucial steal to help seal the victory. UCF shot 45% from the floor and dominated the rebounding battle 40-28.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

The players

Jordan Burks

A key player for UCF who hit the go-ahead 3-pointer and forced a late turnover to lead the Knights' comeback.

Riley Kugel

Paced UCF with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the victory.

Maurice Odum

Produced 18 points and 6 assists for Arizona State in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We never gave up and kept fighting until the end. That's the kind of resilience this team has shown all season.”

— Jordan Burks, UCF Guard (statenews.net)

What’s next

UCF will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their Big 12 conference schedule. Arizona State will try to regroup and get back on track in their next game.

The takeaway

This thrilling victory showcases UCF's ability to rally from a large deficit and make the plays needed to secure an important conference win. The Knights' resilience and clutch performance down the stretch will give them momentum as they push for a high finish in the Big 12 standings.