UCF can’t withstand second-half surge by West Virginia, drops third straight

UCF guard Riley Kugel (middle) drives through West Virginia defenders Amir Jenkins (left) and Morris Ugusuk (right) during the West Virginia at UCF game in Orlando on Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)A Valentine’s Day showdown at Addition Financial Arena was supposed to help UCF feel the love again after a recent two-game slide. Instead, the Knights had their hearts broken as West Virginia rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to pull out a 74-67 win on Saturday.

The loss was painful not only because it was the third in a row, but it put the Knights’ postseason hopes in peril. The team was projected to earn an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time…