There was bound to be a learning curve when you’re dealing with a roster that featured 13 newcomers.
UCF found that out the hard way as the Knights seemed out of sorts at times throughout the night before finally putting away a pesky Hofstra team, 82-78, in the season opener on Monday night at Addition Financial Arena.
The Knights are 9-1 in season openers under coach Johnny Dawkins.
Hofstra found itself in foul trouble throughout much of the game and it caught up with the Pride as UCF went to the free-throw line 36 times, connecting on 22 shots before pulling away late.