UCF Grounds #11 Texas Tech in Space Game, 88-80

Fans storm court twice after Knights' huge Quad 1 win

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:47pm

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Led by 21 points and 7 assists from Themus Fulks, the UCF Knights (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) led for more than 36 minutes of action en route to an 88-80 Space Game victory over the #11 Texas Tech Red Raiders at Addition Financial Arena on Saturday. UCF dominated Texas Tech on the boards, 35-23, including a 13-4 offensive rebounding edge that led to 21 second-chance points.

Why it matters

The victory over Texas Tech puts UCF at 2-2 against ranked teams this season. But more importantly, it's a key Quad 1 win for the Knights in the NET Rankings, where UCF was 42nd coming into Saturday (Texas Tech was 17th). A win at #10 Houston on Wednesday will go a long way to helping UCF accomplish the same goal in 2026.

The details

UCF dominated Texas Tech on the boards, 35-23, including a 13-4 offensive rebounding edge that led to 21 second-chance points. Four Knights scored in double digits, led by Fulks, who only shot 9/23 but made Texas Tech point guard Christian Anderson work on both ends of the floor. Anderson tallied 17 points and 9 assists while playing all 40 minutes. UCF forced 13 turnovers and scored 18 points off of them, while giving up only two points from their six turnovers.

  • On Saturday, UCF defeated #11 Texas Tech 88-80.

The players

Themus Fulks

UCF guard who scored 21 points and had 7 assists.

Johnny Dawkins

UCF head coach.

John Bol

UCF center.

Jordan Burks

UCF forward who scored 17 points.

JT Toppin

Texas Tech's leading scorer with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“Every team has to find a way no matter what's going on, whether you're making shots or not making shots, no matter how the game is going, you still have to find a way to compete to give yourself a chance to win, and I think they did that tonight.”

— Johnny Dawkins, UCF Head Coach (blackandgoldbanneret.com)

“We won the boards?”

— Jordan Burks, UCF Forward (blackandgoldbanneret.com)

“Hell yeah, we did!”

— John Bol, UCF Center (blackandgoldbanneret.com)

“We knew where the game was. It was all about physicality. We work on it every day... So I'm not surprised we won the boards.”

— John Bol, UCF Center (blackandgoldbanneret.com)

“You have to be kidding me to think that the Cameron Crazies don't help what happens in that building, and so the same thing applies here. When [the fans] come out and support and do the things that we've done in these moments, it gives us a chance.”

— Johnny Dawkins, UCF Head Coach (blackandgoldbanneret.com)

What’s next

The Knights go back on the road for the next two games, starting with the #10 Houston Cougars on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

The takeaway

This win over the #11 Texas Tech Red Raiders is a key Quad 1 victory for UCF that will boost their NCAA Tournament resume. The Knights' dominant rebounding and physical play were the difference, as they continue to prove they can compete with the best teams in the Big 12 conference.