UCF Citronauts Defeat Texas Tech in Space Game

The Knights' victory over the Red Raiders was marked by an energetic atmosphere at Addition Financial Arena.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:47pm

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The UCF Citronauts defeated the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders by a score of 88-80 in the annual Space Game at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. The game featured an energetic atmosphere as the Knights showcased their young program against a Big 12 powerhouse.

Why it matters

The Space Game is a signature event for the UCF athletics program, celebrating the university's ties to the nearby space industry. The victory over a highly ranked Texas Tech squad demonstrates the growing competitiveness of the Citronauts, who are looking to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.

The details

The Citronauts used a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense to take down the Red Raiders. UCF led for much of the game and was able to hold off a late Texas Tech surge to secure the victory in front of a raucous home crowd.

  • The Space Game took place on February 1, 2026.

The players

Scott Frost

The current head coach of the UCF Citronauts, who previously led the program to an undefeated season in 2017.

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What they’re saying

“We're a young program, but we're not intimidated by the big names. Our guys came out and played with a lot of heart tonight.”

— Scott Frost, Head Coach, UCF Citronauts (on3.com)

What’s next

The Citronauts will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule in the American Athletic Conference.

The takeaway

The Citronauts' victory over Texas Tech showcases the growing strength of the UCF basketball program, which is quickly establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the college basketball landscape.