A.J. Rompza scored 15 points, Jeff Jordan and Isaac Sosa added 13 apiece, and Central Florida held on for a 65-59 victory over in-state rival South Florida Thursday evening in Orlando.

Rompza hit all four of his first-half shots, including a pair of three-pointers, to help stake the host Golden Knights (3-0) to a 38-29 halftime advantage. The Bulls turned up the defensive heat early in the second period, cutting the deficit to 48-47 with eight minutes to go, but Central Florida scored the next eight points to regain control of the contest.

South Florida made another charge in the final minute to make it 60-59, but UCF was able to salt the game away at the foul line.

Ron Anderson led the way for the Bulls (1-1) with 18 points, while Augustus Gilchrist added 14 and Hugh Robertson finished with 12.