UCF outlasts Hofstra 82–78 behind late heroics from Jordan Burks, Riley Kugel’s hot hand
ORLANDO — UCF opened the 2025–26 season with a gritty 82–78 win over Hofstra on Monday night at Addition Financial Arena, overcoming missed free throws in a back-and-forth contest that saw 48 combined fouls.
The Knights, who entered the season with an entirely new starting five and no returning scorers, showed resilience in the final minutes. Leading by just three after missing a pair of free throws in the final 10 seconds, junior forward Jordan Burks soared in for a critical offensive rebound that sealed the win.
“That’s what winning teams do,” head coach Johnny Dawkins said on his postgame radio interview with Marc Daniels. “Biggest play of the game for me was that rebound on the free throw miss. He didn’t force it. He dribbled it out, got it to our point guard, and understood time and score. That’s winning basketball.”
Burks’ complete effort highlights debut
Burks finished with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, and grabbed seven rebounds in 27 minutes. It was a steady, multi-faceted performance for the Georgetown transfer, who has been heralded for his upside on both ends.
“He can impact the game in a lot more ways than just scoring,” Dawkins said. “You saw that tonight.”
Kugel’s first-half shooting ignites UCF offense
Senior guard Riley Kugel, a transfer from Mississippi State and Orlando native, made a memorable UCF debut. He drilled five three-pointers, all in the first half, and led all scorers with 19 points.
Kugel’s long-range display proved crucial during a stretch when UCF struggled at the line (the Knights finished just 22-of-36, 61.1%).
“He really stepped up and opened the basket up for us as a team,” Dawkins said. “Them seeing Riley, who’s one of our leaders, knocking down shots, that definitely makes it easier. It’s like having a big brother out there on the floor.”
Fulks takes over late
Senior point guard Themus Fulks, a transfer from Milwaukee, took control in the second half after a quiet opening 20 minutes. He scored 13 of his 16 points after the break, including a huge jumper from the wing with 7:38 remaining that gave UCF a 66-64 lead, initially ruled a three, later changed to a two.
Fulks also led the Knights with eight assists and went 10-of-12 from the foul line.
“He let the game come to him,” Dawkins said. “And in the second half, things started to open up. I thought we wore them down some. He got downhill more… he makes plays for himself and for his teammates.”
Stats & Flow
UCF and Hofstra played a tight contest throughout with 10 lead changes and seven ties. The Knights led 36-32 at halftime.
Ultimately, UCF’s edge in rebounding (40-31), particularly 16 offensive boards, helped them generate 18 second-chance points to Hofstra’s nine. That proved to be a critical margin in a game that came down to final possessions.
The Knights shot 46.4% from the field and 40.0% from deep (8-of-20), but left points at the line, hitting just 61.1% from the stripe. Turnovers were also an issue, with UCF giving it away 16 times, matching their assist total.
Dawkins acknowledged both areas postgame.
“We didn’t always shoot free throws the way I would have liked to see us shoot free throws,” he said. “And we didn’t always take care of the ball. But for a first official game, I’m really proud of our guys and their effort.”
Hofstra showed fight
Hofstra finished the game shooting 41.9% overall and 87.5% (21-of-24) from the free throw line. They were led by Cruz Davis (17 points) and Preston Edmead (16 points), both of whom fouled out.
The Pride are coached by Speedy Claxton, a former NBA player who was on the 2003 San Antonio Spurs team that won the NBA Championship.
“That was a good win,” Dawkins said. “At this level, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. And they’re a good team. I thought they played very well. They have a really good system. And they have a few players that are returning that were accomplished.”
Vanderbilt up next
UCF will return to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Vanderbilt at Addition Financial Arena. Tip is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Commodores, who made the NCAA Tournament last season as a No. 7 seed, crushed Lipscomb Monday night, 105-61.
“They had a lot of success last year,” Dawkins said of Vanderbilt. “We’ve got to prepare the right way and give ourselves a chance.”
