UConn has searched everywhere but the lost and found for its missing offensive game.

Simply put, the Huskies have been dreadful in the scoring department in recent weeks.

They're hoping that changes during a two-game road trip, starting with Sunday's American Athletic Conference encounter with Central Florida in Orlando. Game time is 4 p.m. at CFE Arena.

In each of their last five games, they've failed to reach the 70-point mark, only averaging 61 points and shooting 37.5 percent from the field.

If not for a lock down defense, the Huskies (14-6, 4-3) would be in deep trouble. They rank fifth in the country in field goal percentage defense at 37.3, the program's best mark since the 2006-07 season (37.1).

That's not exactly comforting news, considering the 2006-07 team finished 17-14 overall and didn't earn a postseason berth.

Following a tough 58-57 home loss to Cincinnati on Thursday, coach Kevin Ollie had a few short days to come up with a solution to his team's issues prior to facing the improved Knights (10-8, 4-3). Central Florida needs only two wins to equal last season's overall victory total.

It's hard to pinpoint the main source of their offensive woes. The Huskies lack a reliable inside game, waste valuable time on the shot clock and end up forcing shots, and miss too many layups.

They've receiving failing grades for half-court execution.

"We're just getting right to the rim and missing layups," a frustrated Ollie said after the Cincinnati loss. "I can't do anything else. We've got to make the layups. For me, I've got to draw up other plays.

"I just don't know. But we've got to create something when we get to the rim."

It certainly would help if two of UConn's best players emerge from prolonged funks.

Sophomore Daniel Hamilton and red-shirt junior Rodney Purvis, are converting 25.5 percent (13-for-51) and 23.1 percent (12-for-52), respectively, from the field in the last five games.

Opposing defenses are focusing on harassing Hamilton, who often orchestrates the attack. He contributes in other ways, leading the team in rebounds (8.6) and assists (4.9).

"I can't get him back on track," Ollie said. "He's just got to keep taking good shots. ... He had some good looks, he just didn't make them. We're just going to try to get him back."

Central Florida poses a big challenge.

The Knights are the seventh tallest team in the country, featuring six players at 6-9 or more. Starting center Tacko Fall checks in at 7-6, 300 pounds, and reserve forward Justin McBride is 6-10, 325 pounds.

McBride and forward A.J. Davis have been UCF's two most productive players in conference games, averaging a combined 28.4 points and 13.6 rebounds.

The Knights have had defensive problems, ranking last in scoring defense in overall games at 72.7 points per game.

At least the Huskies have that working in their favor. They're certainly motivated coming off a bad loss.

"Everybody is hungry to get back on the court to play the next game," freshman Jalen Adams said.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe

UConn at Central Florida box

UCONN AT CENTRAL FLORIDA

Location: CFE Arena, Orlando, Fla.

Tip-off: 4 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Records: UConn 14-6, 4-3; Central Florida 10-8, 4-3

Last game: UConn lost to Cincinnati, 58-57, Thursday; Central Florida fell to Memphis, 97-86, Tuesday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-2 grad. guard Sterling Gibbs (13.5 pts), 6-3 fr. guard Jalen Adams (5.9 pts), 6-7 so. forward Daniel Hamilton (11.8 pts, 8.6 rebs, 4.9 assists), 6-7 grad. forward Shonn Miller (13.5 pts, 5.7 rebs)and 6-10 sr. center Phil Nolan (1.9 pts, 1.8 rebs)

Central Florida, 6-2 sr. guard Daiquan Walker (7.4 pts, 3 assists),6-6 so. forward Adonys Henriquez (10.6 pts), 6-5 r-jr. forward Matt Williams (7.2 pts, 2.7 rebs), 6-9 r-so. forward A.J. Davis (13.4 pts, 5.9 rebs), 7-6 fr. center Tacko Fall (7.3 pts, 5.3 rebs, 2 blks)

Noteworthy: Three of the next four on the road. Huskies own 3-1 away record. ... Improved Knights need two wins to match last year's overall victory total. ... Series: UConn never lost in AAC play, holding 6-1 edge overall. Won only meeting last season, 67-60, in Storrs. ... Knights dropped four of last six. ... Top reserve: 6-10, 325-pound jr. center Justin McBride (8.4 pts, 4.8 rebs). ... Knights 7th tallest team in nation, averaging 6-6.78. ... Hot: Williams third in AAC in 3 pt. FG percentage at 47.2. (17-for-36). Cold: Hamilton shooting 28.2 percent (11-for-39) in last four games. ... Since being removed from starting lineup, Rodney Purvis is averaging 9.3 pts. ... Injury news: UConn's Amida Brimah (broken finger) out. ... Up next: UConn visits Memphis Thursday.

— Gavin Keefe