Riley Kugel scored 19 points for host UCF, which held off upset-minded Hofstra to earn an 82-78 win in the season opener for both schools Monday night in Orlando, Fla.

Jordan Burks had 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds for UCF, which didn't return anyone who scored for the team last season. Kugel transferred to the Knights from Mississippi State while Burks arrived from Georgetown.

Themus Fulks, a transfer from Milwaukee, added 16 points with eight assists and hit the tiebreaking long 2-pointer that gave the Knights the lead for good at 66-64 with 7:38 left.

Another Milwaukee transfer, Jamichael Stillwell, finished with 10 points.

The Knights were 22 of 36 from the foul line, including 17 of 23 in the second half.

Cruz Davis scored 17 points while true freshman Preston Edmead h

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