UCF Knights Survive Utah Upset Bid on Themus Fulks' Free Throws

Knights keep NCAA Tournament hopes alive with narrow road victory

Feb. 22, 2026 at 4:48am

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Themus Fulks scored a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning free throws with 3.7 seconds left, to lead the UCF Knights to a 73-71 victory over the Utah Utes. The win keeps UCF's hopes for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament alive despite playing without leading scorer Riley Kugel, who was sidelined due to injury.

Why it matters

This was a crucial road win for UCF as they continue to build their NCAA Tournament resume. The Knights have now picked up four true road wins this season, an important metric for the selection committee. Surviving a tough test at Utah without their top scorer shows the team's resilience and ability to win close games.

The details

Fulks stepped up in Kugel's absence, taking 24 of UCF's 57 field goal attempts and scoring a game-high 24 points. The Knights also took advantage of 11 Utah turnovers, converting them into 18 points. Utah's Terrence Brown and Don McHenry combined for 26 points in the second half to keep the game close, but Fulks' clutch free throws in the final seconds sealed the victory for UCF.

  • The game was played on February 21, 2026.
  • Fulks hit the game-winning free throws with 3.7 seconds left in regulation.

The players

Themus Fulks

A fifth-year senior point guard for the UCF Knights who scored a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning free throws in the final seconds.

Riley Kugel

UCF's leading scorer at 14 points per game, who missed the game due to an undisclosed injury.

Terrence Brown

A Utah player who scored 26 points in the second half to keep the Utes in the game.

Don McHenry

A Utah player who scored 14 points, including three crucial free throws in the final minute to tie the game.

Jordan Burks

A UCF player who had 14 points and four rebounds in the win.

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What they’re saying

“As a point guard, you want to be able finish the game for your guys. We had a tough stretch toward the end, but on the road, you've got a find a way to win. And we did that.”

— Themus Fulks

What’s next

UCF will travel to Provo, Utah to take on BYU on February 24th. The Knights will be heavy underdogs against the Cougars, who are currently projected as a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This hard-fought road win over Utah keeps UCF's NCAA Tournament hopes alive, showing the team's resilience and ability to win close games even without their leading scorer. The Knights will need to carry this momentum into their next Quad 1 matchup against BYU as they continue to build their tournament resume.