LSU Edges Past UCF in Exhibition Basketball Match

LSU secured an 85-81 victory over UCF following a late-game steal at the Maravich Assembly Center.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Basketball

LSU Edges Past UCF in Exhibition Basketball Match

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LSU defeated UCF in a closely contested exhibition basketball game on October 14 at the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. A late go-ahead basket and a crucial defensive play helped LSU seal the 85-81 win.

Why it matters

The game provided a key opportunity for LSU to test a limited rotation against a significantly overhauled UCF squad. For UCF, the matchup served as a high-stakes rehearsal ahead of their upcoming regular season schedule.

Abdi Bashir led LSU with 26 points, while Dior Johnson paced UCF with 18 points. LSU utilized a six-man rotation, and UCF saw action from a team that replaced 11 players from the previous season.

The players

Abdi Bashir

He is a player for LSU who recorded a game-high 26 points during the exhibition contest.

Dior Johnson

He is a player for UCF who finished the game with 18 points and committed a late-game turnover.

Donovan Dent

He is an LSU player who scored the go-ahead basket with 8 seconds remaining in the game.

Mo Dioubate

He is an LSU player who secured the victory by stealing the ball in the final seconds.

The details

LSU secured the win after Donovan Dent hit a go-ahead bucket with 8 seconds remaining, followed by Mo Dioubate stealing the ball from Dior Johnson. UCF had established early momentum, including a 9-0 first-half run, before the game tightened in the final minute.

October 14, 2026: LSU defeated UCF in an exhibition basketball game.
October 28, 2026: UCF is scheduled to play an exhibition game against Kentucky.
November 2, 2026: UCF opens the regular season against Florida Gulf Coast University.

Season Trajectory

This game highlights the challenges of integrating 11 new players into a roster, a common hurdle for teams like UCF during the exhibition season. It also offers a look at how LSU manages player fatigue by utilizing a tight, six-man rotation this early in the year.

LSU's reliance on a six-man rotation suggests a specific short-term lineup strategy that fantasy players and analysts should monitor. UCF's turnover issues in the final seconds highlight a critical area for improvement before their November 2 regular season opener.

The takeaway

Preseason exhibitions are essential for coaching staffs to evaluate performance under pressure and refine rotation management. Fans and analysts should track how these early-season adjustments evolve as teams approach their first official regular season games.

What happens next

UCF is scheduled to play an exhibition game against Kentucky on October 28, 2026, followed by their regular season opener against Florida Gulf Coast University on November 2, 2026.