Clanton comes up big for Knights in win over Memphis

Keith Clanton stepped to the free throw line with the game tied and 4.1 second remaining, having just made an important put back that drew a foul, but the gravity of the situation isn't what he says was on his mind.

Sure, the Knights (14-4, 4-1) were tied, 67-67, with Conference USA-powerhouse Memphis (12-6,3-1), a team they'd previously never beaten, but that wasn't Clanton said motivated him to make the crucial, game-winning free throw to complete the three-point play.

Not having to run was.

"We do a lot of situations in practice where if you miss a free throw you have to run, so I just took it like that and just tried to make the free throw," Clanton said.

Make the free throw he did, and UCF took its first victory over the Tigers in program history, 68-67.

It was an achievement highlighted by students storming the court afterwards, in a scene most players and coaches likely will not get to experience.

"It was unreal," Clanton said. "When the crowd stormed the court everybody was just out there having fun; it was a good experience."

Clanton finished with 23 points to lead the Knights, second in scoring only to the Tigers' Will Barton, who totaled 24 on the night. Clanton also picked up eight rebounds and two assists, but what everyone will remember is the free throw that took down Memphis.

"I couldn't be happier for anybody than Keith Clanton," head coach Donnie Jones said. "I'm just happy that he got a chance to go to the line and win the game. ... And he did that tonight."

The Knights were able to corral a hot-shooting Memphis team that shot 62 percent in the first half and 51 percent on the game. UCF switched from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone and back again, all in an effort to slow Barton and company.

The Knights, who went into the half up three, started the second half on a 13-3 run, but the Tigers battled back, taking the lead late. Marcus Jordan, who finished with 20 points, hit a layup with 1:22 remaining to put UCF ahead 65-64, but Memphis responded when Joe Jackson nailed a 3-pointer that looked like it might have been enough for the Tigers to escape with a victory.

The Knights would end up with the ball with :23 second remaining, and after a miss by guard A.J. Rompza, Clantonwas able to pull in the rebound and put the Knights ahead for good.

The back-and-forth and gritty nature of the contest is something Jones said makes him especially proud of his team.

"I'm just really proud of our team and how they stayed together, stayed poised and found a way to win this basketball game," Jones said.

The Knights have now won six of their last seven contests, and they will need that momentum as they now hit the road for two consecutive away games.

The win was just another in a season sprinkled with big victories that may have UCF in consideration when selection time comes around for the NCAA Tournament.

"We want to get to the NCAA Tournament," Jones said. "We have embraced adversity the right way. Many great programs are build on adversity, and I think that's what this team is looking to do."