A significant second-half comeback by West Virginia men's basketball led to a 74-67 victory over UCF. The Knights, who held a substantial lead for much of the game, were unable to sustain their advantage as West Virginia mounted a decisive run in the latter stages.
Stakes of the Game
This contest represented a crucial conference matchup for both UCF and West Virginia. For UCF, a victory would have stemmed a recent losing streak and provided a much-needed boost to their season standing. For West Virginia, the game offered an opportunity to secure a conference win and maintain momentum. The dramatic swing in favor of West Virginia highlights the tenacity and strategic adjustments that can define collegiate basketball outcomes.
Context and Timeline
The reported games involve both men's and women's basketball teams from UCF and West Virginia. The focus of this report is the men's game that concluded on February 14, 2026.
February 11, 2026: West Virginia women's team rout UCF women's team with a score of 106-56. This game featured strong performances from Riley Makalusky and Kierra Wheeler for West Virginia.
January 24, 2024: An earlier matchup saw UCF men's team defeat West Virginia by a score of 72-59. Jaylin Sellers and Ibrahima Diallo were noted for their contributions in this game.
February 14, 2026: The primary focus of this report, the UCF men's team lost to West Virginia 74-67 after West Virginia erased a 14-point second-half deficit.
Evidence of the Comeback
Multiple reports confirm the details of the February 14, 2026, men's basketball game.
Initial Lead: UCF held a "14-point second half deficit" according to the AP News and Sun-Sentinel reports. The game was described as a "Valentine's Day showdown at Addition Financial Arena."
West Virginia's Surge: West Virginia "stormed back" and tied the game at 59 with 5 minutes remaining. They executed a "21-7 run" in the second half to overcome the deficit. Over the final 8 minutes, West Virginia outscored UCF 28-13 to secure the win.
Key Performers: Honor Huff was instrumental in West Virginia's comeback, scoring 21 points, with 18 of those coming in the second half. Chance Moore added 12 points off the bench, and Brenen Lorient contributed 11 points and eight rebounds. For UCF, Mahogany Chandler-Roberts scored 12 points, as mentioned in the WV MetroNews recap of a different game, but her scoring in this specific game is not detailed across the provided sources for the 74-67 match. However, reports for the 74-67 game suggest UCF had multiple players score, with Riley Kugel scoring 13 points and Chris Johnson and Jordan Burks adding 10 points each.
Contrasting Game Outcomes
It is important to distinguish between the men's and women's basketball games, as their results differed significantly.
| Game Type | Date | West Virginia Score | UCF Score | Victor | Notable Scorers (WVU) | Notable Scorers (UCF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Basketball | Feb 14, 2026 | 74 | 67 | West Virginia | Honor Huff (21), Chance Moore (12) | Riley Kugel (13), Chris Johnson (10) |
| Men's Basketball | Jan 24, 2024 | 59 | 72 | UCF | - | Jaylin Sellers (18), I. Diallo (14) |
| Women's Basketball | Feb 11, 2026 | 106 | 56 | West Virginia | Riley Makalusky (20), K. Wheeler (18) | Mahogany Chandler-Roberts (12) |
Expert Analysis of the Comeback
The ability of West Virginia to erase a substantial second-half deficit points to a potential shift in momentum and strategy.
"Honor Huff scored 18 of his game-high 21 points in the second half and visiting West Virginia rallied from a 14-point deficit to stop Central Florida 74-67 on Saturday night in Orlando." - The Sports Leader
This indicates Huff's critical offensive contribution during the crucial period. The WV MetroNews article, while referencing a different game, mentions a coach's sentiment: "Once you figure it out, here comes something different." This implies that adjustments and finding a rhythm can fundamentally alter a game's trajectory, a concept seemingly at play in the February 14th contest. The Sun-Sentinel report further emphasizes the 28-13 run over the final 8 minutes, underscoring a late-game surge that is often a hallmark of disciplined teams.
Conclusion and Implications
The 74-67 victory by West Virginia over UCF on February 14, 2026, is characterized by a significant second-half comeback. West Virginia overcame a 14-point deficit, with Honor Huff's scoring outburst in the latter half proving decisive. This loss represents a crushing blow for UCF, as they surrendered a commanding lead, extending their recent losing streak. For West Virginia, this win is a testament to their resilience and ability to execute under pressure, showcasing their potential to prevail in close conference games. The contrasting results of the men's and women's games also warrant note, with the women's team experiencing a decisive defeat.
Sources
AP News: https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-ucf-mens-basketball-game-score-8c5f35523000aa51eba61dc684bd5cb6 (Summary provides key details of the comeback and final score).
ESPN (Game Recap - Men's): https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game//gameId/401725788 (Confirms the final score and provides brief play-by-play information).
WV MetroNews: https://wvmetronews.com/2026/02/11/no-19-west-virginia-blows-by-ucf-106-56/ (Provides context on a separate, lopsided women's game, but quotes offer general team insights).
Sun-Sentinel: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/ucf-knights-basketball-drops-third-straight-losing-to-west-virginia/ (Details the second-half comeback, deficit, and late-game run).
The Sports Leader: https://www.thesportsleader.com/2026/02/14/honor-huff-west-virginia-surge-past-ucf/ (Highlights Honor Huff's second-half performance and the overall comeback).
Newsday: https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-basketball/west-virginia-ucf-score-w48591 (Recaps the women's team's large victory over UCF).
NCAA.com: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6503886/play-by-play (Official game summary for the men's contest).
Black and Gold Banneret: https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.com/mens-basketball/2024/1/24/24048675/ucf-mens-basketball-blows-out-west-virginia-72-59 (Details a previous game where UCF defeated West Virginia).
ESPN (Game Recap - Women's): https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/recap//gameId/401827392 (Recaps the women's team's dominant win).