UCF beats Auburn 84-74 Eds: APNewsNow. UCF 84, Auburn 74.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) A.J Tyler had 19 points and eight rebounds as Central Florida defeated Auburn 84-74 at the Glenn Wilkes Classic on Friday night.

Taylor Young and Dave Diakite had eight first-half points apiece for the Knights (3-0), who opened the game with a 13-0 run en route to a 41-24 lead at intermission. Each finished with 12 points.

Auburn (1-2) got 22 points from Frankie Sullivan and DeWayne Reed added 15.

The Knights held Auburn scoreless until Reed hit a 3-pointer 7 minutes into the game. The Tigers pulled within 21-17 later in the first half on Sullivan's jumper.

But UCF put together another spurt, outscoring the Tigers 15-3, including a nifty lay-up basket by Young, to go ahead 36-20.

UCF preserved the win by hitting 8 of 8 free throws during the final minute.

The Knights entered the game 0-27 all-time against SEC teams.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-20-09 1928CST | save this article / add to your favorites list