Recap: UCF vs. Howard

Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Tristan Spurlock tallied a game-high 15 points to lift the UCF Knights to a 62-45 victory over the Howard Bison in the opening game of the UCF Holiday Classic in Orlando.

Isaiah Sykes added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for UCF (8-3), which will advance to take on Belmont in the championship bout on Saturday. Matt Williams provided a spark off the bench for the Knights by scoring 11 points in 14 minutes and Keith Clanton was one field goal shy of a double- double with eight points and 11 boards.

Howard (3-11) lost its third game in a row as none of its players scored in double-figures. Anton Dickerson netted a team-high nine points and Mike Phillips grabbed six rebounds in the setback. The Bison will face off against Boston University in Saturday's consolation matchup.

UCF began to create some distance on the scoreboard just over eight minutes after tip-off when Williams drained a shot from beyond the arc to push the hosts lead to 15-8. The Knights then took a 28-20 advantage into the intermission despite hitting only 36.7 percent of their field goal attempts in the first half. The Bison shot 43.5 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, but trailed after going 0-of-5 from 3-point range and 0-4 from the charity stripe.

The Knights heated up to knock down 46.4 percent of their attempts from the field and outscored Howard, 18-8, in the paint after the break to coast to the 17-point decision.

UCF held a 37-30 edge in the rebounding battle and converted the Bison's 16 turnovers into 11 points to earn a spot in the championship game.