Mahan helps UCF hold off Auburn 63-55 in season opener
- Nov. 30, 2020 10:12 PM EST
Central Florida forward Sean Mobley, left, loses control of the ball as he tries to get around Auburn forward Jaylin Williams (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Central Florida forward Sean Mobley, left, loses control of the ball as he tries to get around Auburn forward Jaylin Williams (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn guard Allen Flanigan, center, shoots as he gets between Central Florida guards Dre Fuller Jr. (24) and Darin Green Jr., right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn's Jaylin Williams (23) drives to the basket against Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn guard Allen Flanigan (22) saves the ball from going out of bounds in front of Central Florida guard Dre Fuller Jr. (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Central Florida guard Darin Green Jr. (22) drives around Auburn forward Javon Franklin (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn guard Justin Powell, center, shoots as he gets between Central Florida guard Dre Fuller Jr., left, and guard Brandon Mahan, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn guard Devan Cambridge (35) goes in for a shot in front of Central Florida guard Dre Fuller Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn forward Jaylin Williams (23) and guard Devan Cambridge, center, battle Central Florida forward C.J. Walker (21) for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Auburn center Dylan Cardwell (44) reacts after dunking the ball against Central Florida during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Central Florida forward C.J. Walker (21) blocks a shot-attempt by Auburn guard Justin Powell, center, as Central Florida guard Dre Fuller Jr., right, comes in to help during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Mahan scored all 12 of his points in the second half, including four of UCF's final six free throws, and the Knights held off Auburn 63-55 down the stretch to win a season-opener Monday night.

Mahan played four minutes in the first half but all of the second, making 4 of 8 shots, all four free throws and three steals, two defensive rebounds and an assist.

Mahan made his presence felt with a steal just over two minutes into the second half, leading to a Dre Fuller Jr. 3-pointer. In the final two minutes, he scored on a drive to the basket that pushed the lead to eight, deflected an inbound pass for a takeaway, stole another pass and hit four from the line.

Fuller and Tony Johnson Jr. carried the Knights through a low-scoring first half, combining for 14 of UCF's 30 points. Fuller ended the game with 13 and Darin Green Jr. added 10.

Jamal Johnson led Auburn (1-2) with 18 points, draining five 3-pointers, matching his career high. Jaylin Williams added eight points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers were 32% from the floor (20-of-62), 7-of-34 from deep, and committed 22 turnovers. They were 8 of 22 from the free-throw line.

“Ah, well, that was ugly. Set the game of basketball back a few years,” Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said.

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