Jamichael Stillwell Dominates Boards to Lead UCF Past VMI, 82-57

UCF Men’s Basketball used its size to its advantage against VMI by grabbing 28 offensive rebounds for the most in a game in program history. The Knights also scored 54 points in the paint after struggling from three point range, shooting 13%.

Jamichael Stillwell contributed 10 offensive rebounds to go along with 21 points for his third double double on the season.

“I was just very aggressive on the boards,” Stillwell said. “I saw our shots weren’t falling today so I was just like I need to be in the spot where I know the ball is going to come off and I feel like that can get second chance points.”

UCF (7-1) is now off to its best start since the 2016-2017 year and the win gives head coach Johnny Dawkins his 175th all-time win at UCF.

“I love UCF first and foremost, I’m proud to have made my contribution,” Dawkins said. “The university has been great to me this entire decade, and so all I’m trying to do is pay it forward and give back as much as I can by making everyone in our community and everyone in our university proud of UCF Basketball and what we’re able to do on and off the court, that’s been my one goal since I’ve been here and that hasn’t changed. Hopefully I can get another 175 wins.”

Senior guard Riley Kugel had his worst offensive game of the season going scoreless for the first time so far this year and shot 0-8 from the field. Dawkins has emphasized all season that it’s not going to be a perfect shooting night every outing, but the Knights have to find other ways to contribute when shots aren’t falling.

After UCF’s win over Quinnipiac, senior forward Jordan Burks said the Knights’ identity comes from their defense. Burks blocked a shot today and helped hold the Cadets to 28% shooting from the field.

“We want to continue it because we know if we maximize on the defensive end it’s going to turn into offense,” Burks said. “It’s honestly fun I’m falling into liking defense, the coaches make it known if you don’t play defense, you’re going to come out of the game so it’s like I want to play… so now I’m on it, I’m 110% effort on defense, talking, pointing, talking it might not look the coolest they always say but hey I’m going to do it because they be on me and I’m happy that they hold me to that high standard.”

The Knights entered halftime with a 13 point lead but separated themselves from VMI in the second half extending their lead to as much as 29.

The Knights will now have the next week off before their next matchup against Towson on December seventh.