Central Florida 97, Tampa 72: Calvin Newell scored 23 points as host Central Florida rode a comfortable halftime lead to a season-opening win over Tampa.

Newell hit 8-of-10 shots from the field, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, as the Knights shot 51.4 percent. Isaiah Sykes, UCF's leading scorer from a year ago, finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Da'Markco Foster poured in a game-high 25 points for the Spartans, who trailed 54-27 at halftime. Austin Rettig added 18 points for Tampa, which shot 38.7 percent from the field.

Newell and Tristan Spurlock helped the Knights build the huge halftime advantage, compiling 13 points and four rebounds each by the break. UCF saw 11 players hit the floor, with all but one scoring at least two points.

Rettig connected on 6-of-12 from beyond the arc and the Spartans outscored the Knights in the second half 45-43, but Tampa was unable to overcome the early disadvantage. UCF outrebounded the Spartans 47-39.

GAME NOTEBOOK: UCF is 3-1 all-time against Tampa. ... Sykes, who led Conference USA with 72 steals last season, plucked away a pair in the opener. ... Knights F Kasey Wilson, who connected on 50 percent of his 3-point attempts a year ago, missed his only shot from beyond the arc and finished with eight points.