Central Florida 7-foot-6 sophomore center Tacko Fall scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, leading the Knights to a dominating 86-61 win over Mississippi State on Thursday in the Gildan Charleston Classic at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C.

Central Florida took command early. On the Knights' first possession, Fall delivered an authoritative one-handed dunk that set the tone. Central Florida led by as many as 27 points in the first half and went into the locker room with a 53-33 advantage.

Fall, a native of Sengal, hit seven of nine shots, grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots in the first half. UCF shot 63.3 percent from the floor in the first half.

Mississippi State trimmed the deficit to 17 early in the second half on a pair of free throws by Tyson Carter, but never seriously challenged and fell to 1-1 on the season.

Sophomore guard Quinndary Weatherspoon led the Bulldogs with 19 points, and I.J. Ready added 15 points.

Fall finished 13 of 17 from the field, leading four Knights in double figures. Senior guard Tanksley Efianayi added 19 points, and sophomore guard B.J. Taylor had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Central Florida (2-0), which advances to face the winner of Charleston-Boise State on Friday.

Mississippi State will take on the loser of that game on Friday.

The Bulldogs shot just 32.3 percent and were outrebounded 48-35 by Central Florida.