UCF rolls past Towson 86–61, improves to 8–1 for the best start of the Johnny Dawkins era
ORLANDO — If there was any concern about rust after an eight-day break for finals, UCF erased it almost immediately.
Pouring in 47 first-half points and playing one of its most connected 20-minute stretches of the season, the Knights overwhelmed Towson 86–61 on Sunday afternoon inside Addition Financial Arena, improving to 8–1, which is the best start of Johnny Dawkins’ tenure at UCF. The Knights never trailed, led by at least 10 for the final 33 minutes, and had 10 players score before halftime. In a season where depth has become a defining trait, Sunday was perhaps the clearest example yet.
“This might have been the most complete first half we’ve played all year,” Dawkins said afterward. “To see our guys respond after the time off, and to do it against a really tough, well-coached team, that’s encouraging.”
UCF shot 55.4% from the field, outscored Towson 48–30 in the paint, and controlled the glass and tempo throughout the afternoon.
Fulks sets the tone and keeps the offense humming
For the second straight game, Themus Fulks looked like a player fully taking command of UCF’s offense. The fifth-year point guard was sharp from the opening tip, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the first half while weaving between ball screens, pushing tempo, and exploiting gaps in Towson’s defense. He finished the game 8-of-11 from the floor with eight assists, three steals, and just three turnovers in 29 minutes
“He’s our leader,” Dawkins said. “Some nights he’s got to score. Some nights he needs to facilitate. A point guard is judged on winning, same thing I’m judged on. And he’s learning how to balance that. You can see him growing every game.”
Fulks agreed, noting that his role changes depending on how defenses play UCF.
“I play with really good teammates,” he said. “When teams key in on them, I take my chances to score. When they start helping on me, I just find our guys. Coach puts us in the right spots.”
Entering the day, Fulks ranked third nationally in total assists (59) and second in the Big 12 at 7.4 per game, per UCF’s Game Notes. Sunday’s showing only solidifies that reputation.
Depth steps up again, and Stillwell stays steady
If Fulks drove the engine, UCF’s depth supplied the horsepower. Jamichael Stillwell continued his streak of steady, production-rich performances with 15 points, six rebounds, and quality defense in 29 minutes.
The senior forward has now scored in double figures in six of UCF’s nine games and once again flashed his ability to anchor possessions in the half court.
Stillwell said the messaging in the locker room stayed consistent: defend and play connected.
“Just guard your yard,” he said. “Play together. Lock in on the defensive side. That’s what Coach emphasized.”
A near-perfect first half shows UCF’s ceiling
The opening 20 minutes belonged entirely to UCF. The Knights shot 54.8%, held Towson to 38.7%, and dictated the pace from the outset.
Devan Cambridge’s early layup pushed the lead to 15–5, and a few possessions later, a strong Stillwell sequence extended the margin to 20–11. Fulks controlled the game, scoring on drives and short jumpers, while UCF’s wings ran the lanes with discipline.
The final knockout punch of the half came when Carmelo Pacheco drilled a three from the left wing to stretch the advantage to 41–21. By intermission, the Knights led 47–27, had a +6 rebounding margin, and had committed only four turnovers. Ten UCF players were already in the scoring column, reflecting a rotation that continues to widen as Dawkins sharpens roles.
“It felt like everyone was contributing,” Stillwell said. “When your name was called, you came in ready.”
Dawkins pointed to the previous week’s practices as the key.
“(The layoff) afforded us some time, of course, to work on some things and clean up some things that we knew we had to get better at,” Dawkins said. “And having some of those days of practice was good for us because we had to grow in some areas.
“Guys are still trying to learn our system. You have guys that have played for three, four different coaches, all good coaches, all good styles, but they’re adjusting now to a new one, terminologies, what we want to do defensively, what we’re running offensively, and that takes time.
“And so I think having that little break and being able to kind of really focus on a few things that we thought we had to work on, I thought we benefited from some of that today.”
Towson’s push fades as UCF regains control
Towson opened the second half with more aggression, matching UCF basket for basket and briefly slowing the Knights’ rhythm. Dawkins wasn’t thrilled with the defensive intensity during that stretch.
“I didn’t think our second-half defense was where it needed to be,” he said. “Give them credit, they made adjustments, but we can be better.”
Eventually, UCF settled back into a groove. The Knights rediscovered their pace, tightened rotations defensively, and re-established control. The biggest highlight came with 4:06 remaining, when Fulks converted a three-point play to push the lead to 82–53, UCF’s largest cushion of the afternoon.
Towson got 14 points from Dylan Williamson and 13 from Tyler Tejada, but never mounted anything resembling a serious challenge.
Frontcourt length continues to shine
Towson typically beats teams with physicality and rebounding, traits Dawkins made sure to highlight in preparing the Knights.
“They’ve got Big 12 bodies,” Dawkins said. “They’re big, physical, and they defend. Our guys saw that on tape and prepared for it.”
UCF’s frontcourt answered that challenge emphatically. The trio of John Bol, Jeremy Foumena, and Elijah Hulsewe combined for 15 points and nine rebounds and altered numerous shots around the rim. Bol, in particular, was impactful in short bursts, finishing +20 in only 16 minutes.
Dawkins said all three bigs are improving rapidly thanks to consistent game reps.
“Practice isn’t the same as real games,” he said. “Now that they’re getting those minutes, you can see them growing. There’s still a ton of room for them to develop.”
Kugel’s quiet night doesn’t tell the full story
Riley Kugel’s six-point outing marked the second straight game he failed to reach double figures, but the Knights weren’t concerned. Dawkins, in fact, praised Kugel’s performance as one of his most complete defensive games of the season.
“He defended one of their best players and made multiple plays that don’t show up in the box score,” Dawkins said. “The offense will come, he’s too talented. What I care about is how he guards.”
Fulks said Kugel’s impact went far beyond scoring.
“When Riley gets going, we’re unstoppable,” he said. “But he cares about winning more than anything. He was one of the happiest guys in the locker room because he defended and we won.”
An identity coming into view
With nine games in the books, UCF’s blueprint is becoming clearer: a point guard-driven offense with Fulks at the controls, a frontcourt rotation offering length and rim protection, multiple perimeter scorers who can take turns carrying stretches, and a bench deep enough to give Dawkins true flexibility.
Dawkins said the goal is simply to keep building.
“I’ve coached some really good teams, and this team is still working on becoming one of those type of teams. The good thing is that they work very hard. They come to compete every day in practice. And in the games, it’s up to us as the staff to continue to help them understand where we have to go to be successful.
“The main thing we’re doing is getting in every day, and we work. We grind. We get in every day in practice. We put our hard hats on, and we get after it, and they’ve been responding.”
Stillwell added that the group believes the ceiling is high.
“I feel like we can do some big things with this team,” he said. “And I feel like we’re going to do some big things.”
Another long break awaits before Mercer
UCF won’t play again until Dec. 17, when Mercer visits Orlando. The extended gap is similar to the stretch the Knights had entering Sunday’s game, something Dawkins said is dictated largely by academics this time of year. But he plans to use it as an opportunity.
“We’ll use the time to get better,” he said. “We need to defend for 40 minutes, not 20. We need to execute cleaner. There’s plenty we can improve.”
Fulks, for his part, said the long layoff didn’t bother the team. If anything, it sharpened them.
“We were excited to play someone else today,” he said. “Practices were intense. But that’s how we get better.”
