Shaheed Davis’s career night led UCF to a 65-54 victory over the Spartans of UNC Greensboro for the Knights’ first victory of the season.

Davis had 23 points and eight rebounds for the Knights, including five three pointers.

“It just felt good to finally get a good game in, to get a win” said Davis. “We needed one.”

The Black and Gold were able to weather an early attack from the Spartans and ultimately flexed their muscle down the stretch.

“It’s nice to get a win,” said UCF head coach Donnie Jones. “I’m really proud how we closed the game out this time.”

Having had two close affairs come up short already this season, UCF was able to finish the game strong, on a 22-6 run to win comfortably at CFE Arena.

The first half saw UNCG (2-1) come out with high energy, pulling down seven offensive rebounds that turned into eight second chance points.

UCF (1-2) would weather the early half surge and were able to finish the half on an 8-3 run to go into the locker room leading 29-28.

The Knights opened the second half on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 38-28. The Spartans hung tough and would take a 44-43 lead after a Asad Lamot layup with 9:41 left in the game.

Justin McBride gave UCF a huge boost off the bench in the final 10 minutes of action. The junior big man had eight points in only seven minutes, including back-to-back baskets to regain the lead at 49-48 with 4:59 to go.

“I just wanted to win,” said McBride. “You got two ways to look it; I’m frustrated because I’m not getting what I wanted minutes wise, or points wise, or rebounds, or I’m tired of losing, we’re tired of losing.”

“Every huddle, we’re all in,” added McBride. “Whatever they need from me, him [Shaheed Davis], whatever they need from A.J., [Davis], we’re all in. We bought in and it just hasn’t gone our way the first couple of games, but now it’s a big sigh of relief.”

Three games into the college basketball season, Tacko Fall is showing that his potential is through the roof. The freshman center tallied 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in helping the Knights.

The 7 foot 6 Senegal native has improved game-to-game and it has reflected on the stat sheet. His minutes have increased and while he still has a long way to go in developing his game, his comfort level on the court  is clearly going up.

“Where he’s come from in the first game, the second, and the third game has been incredible,” said Jones.

Daiquan Walker pulled down 11 rebounds from the point guard position, while also dishing out seven assists. A.J. Davis contributed six assists and six rebounds.

This team is showing a selfless attitude early in the season, and have the capability to have numerous scoring options on any given night.

“We got a lot of individual guys that could be high scorers on a given night, we just have to be able to give it up to whoever has the hot hand that night,” said Jones. “I was really proud of team effort tonight.”

UCF will next travel to Ohio to play Miami University Nov. 28 at 1:30 p.m.