Sykes' 22 points lead Knights past Hartford

It's something the UCF men's basketball team (5-2) will need all season.

Saturday night, in a 67-48 win over the Hartford Hawks (0-8), it came in the form of double-doubles from guard Isaiah Sykes (22 points, 11 rebounds) and forward Tristan Spurlock (10 points, 11 rebounds).

That something is someone who isn't Keith Clanton or Marcus Jordan, the team's go-to players, stepping up to the plate and providing clear third and fourth options for the team early in the season.

"It can't be just Marcus and Keith," head coach Donnie Jones said. "We need some other guys if we're going to win every night that are going to step up and play for us. … Sykes and Tristan are really coming along."

Following a game where the Knights had to find away to overcome themselves and offensive dry spells, often of their own creation, the play of the two role players may have been the most encouraging take away for Jones and his program after beating the winless Hawks.

"I was happy with the way we finished the game and started the game, but I wasn't too happy in between there with our intensity level and how we competed," Jones said. "I thought once we got that lead we started playing selfishly, and we're not good enough as individuals to go out and play that way."

For their parts, Clanton and Jordan, Preseason Conference USA First and Second teamers, respectively, had off nights below their usual production.

Clanton, typically a focal point of the team's offense, took only four shots, of which he made one. The junior forward did the rest of his scoring from the free throw line, where he went seven-of-nine to finish with nine points.

Jordan started out with a hot hand, hitting back-to-back 3-point baskets as part of a 21-0 UCF run in the first half fueled by the Knights' use of a full-court press.

Following a quick eight points early, though, Jordan cooled off considerably, finishing with 13 points on four-of-14 shooting.

"[Jordan and Clanton] just had off nights, and as a team we're a lot more balanced this year," Spurlock said."It's not as big a deal now. Last year it probably would have been a lot worse when they had off nights. … It's not a big surprise this year that someone else has a big night."

Sykes has stood out so far this season as the Knights' most-improved player.

The sophomore from Detroit has improved his finishing ability around the rim, where he gets a lot of his points, and with his shooting. Sykes struggled at the line all of last season, but he looked more comfortable at the line last night, going four-of-six.

"[Sykes] had a really good game; he got it going," Spurlock said. "We kept making sure we were looking for him when he cut to the basket."

Spurlock is often regarded as a potential game-changer with his size and length out on the perimeter. It is something he used a few times against the Hawks, driving the lane, dunking the basketball and, perhaps most importantly, crashing the boards.

"Tristan is continuing to do the things we're asking him, and tonight that was rebound the basketball," Jones said.

Following the victory, UCF will have its second consecutive week-long break between games. Following the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, a showcase that saw the Knights play three games in three days and defeat the then-No. 4 Connecticut Huskies, the team had a full week before hosting Hartford on Saturday.

UCF will have another full week off before again returning to the UCF Arena to host the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3-5).

"I think that's good because we played a lot of games quick [in the Bahamas]," Jones said. "We've got finals this week, which is most important. We'll focus on our academics."

More suspensions

Jones has again shown that he isn't afraid to discipline his squad.

Prior to Saturday's contest, it was released to the media that two more UCF players would be sitting out of competition. Senior guard A.J. Rompza is already sitting out per an NCAA rules violation.

True freshman forward Wayne Martin has been suspended indefinitely due to a violation of athletics department policy, and senior forward P.J. Gaynor sat out Saturday's game as a result of violating team rules.

The release stated that the two violations were unrelated.

Not having a full roster has been a consistent part of the adversity the Knights have faced early on this season.

"We stick together," Sykes said. "It's not a good thing, but it's given our team adversity so we can get through it earlier. … When [the entire roster is available] we'll be even better as a whole."

Jones, who has had to frequently modify his lineups and game plan as a result of ineligible players, says there is a bigger picture.

"It's about helping young men grow," Jones said. "We're building this team. … We'll continue to make sure guys do the right things. If not, obviously, we'll have suspensions."