GAME NOTES: After losing two road games in a row, the UCF Knights will try to get back on track on Saturday night when they host the Florida Atlantic Owls in non-conference play at CFE Arena.

Since starting the season 1-3, the Owls now sit at 3-3 following two consecutive home victories, the most recent being a 72-63 decision against the East Carolina Pirates on Wednesday night.

The Knights started the season an impressive 5-1, but have now fallen to 5-3 after dropping their last two. The most recent defeat came on Thursday night against the UIC Flames in a 71-60 final.

These two schools from the Sunshine State have battled 27 times, with UCF leading the series, 19-8. The last time the teams met was on Dec. 3 of last year, with the Owls defeating UCF, 75-64.

Justin Massey netted 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists in FAU's win over East Carolina. Massey was just one of three Owls to tally double-digits on the night, as Marquan Botley scored 15 points and reserve C.J. Turman added 14 points. Botley also contributed to the offensive output with six assists. FAU shot well in the victory, connecting on 52 percent of its field goal attempts, including a mark of 7-of-16 from beyond the arc. The Owls were able to maintain their lead by playing solid defense, holding the Pirates to a .388 shooting percentage.

Massey (10.5 ppg) and Botley (12.7 ppg) are two of three FAU players averaging double digits, with Jackson Trapp (12.2 ppg) being the third. The Owls have played above-average defense this season, holding opponents to 60.7 ppg, the fourth best mark in Conference USA. Kelvin Penn has been a big reason for this, as he has blocked 17 shots this season. However, FAU's offense needs to be more productive, as its mark of 61.3 ppg is next-to-last in C-USA. The Owls may be able to improve there if they compete better down low, as they currently grab the least amount of offensive rebounds per game (7.83) in the league.

The Knights turned the ball over 17 times against the Flames, leading to their third loss this season. UCF was led in scoring by B.J. Taylor, who netted 13 points. The Knights shot the ball very well in the first half, as they knocked down 50 percent of their field goal attempts. But in the final period, UCF only shot 38.5 percent from the floor, while UIC converted 11-of-22 field goal attempts over the same time. The Flames also outrebounded the Knights, 38-31.

Taylor (13.0 ppg) and Adonys Henriquez (11.1 ppg) are the two UCF players currently averaging double figures this season. As a team, the Knights are scoring 69.2 ppg and shooting an impressive 47.8 percent from the field, including a .372 percentage from 3-point range, the highest percentage in the American Athletic Conference. However, their defensive play has been suspect, as UCF is currently allowing foes to score an average of 71.4 ppg. The Knights are also in the negative in the turnover margin (-4.1).

This game should be a great matchup between one team that can score (UCF) and another that plays well on defense (FAU). Expect the Knights' 3-point shooting to be the deciding factor.