Diakite scores 19 points, seals win with steal as Central Florida edges Albany (N.Y.) 76-72

Diakite, Central Florida edge Albany (N.Y.) 76-72

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dave Diakite scored a career-high 19 points and made a game-clinching steal to lead Central Florida to a 76-72 victory over Albany (N.Y.) on Saturday.

With the Knights (5-1) leading 74-72 in the closing seconds, Diakite picked off an inbounds pass by the Great Danes (3-4) and made both free throws after being fouled.

Diakite, a redshirt freshman forward, also had eight rebounds to lead the Knights.

Isaac Sosa added 13 points, shooting 3-for-4 on 3-pointers, and Taylor Young scored 10 for Central Florida. Young’s layup and free throw gave the Knights their 74-72 lead with just over 1 minute to play.

Tim Ambrose scored 25 points and Will Harris added 23 to pace Albany, combining for 19 of the Great Danes’ 28 baskets.

The first meeting between the two schools was tied 37-37 at halftime.