Nov. 11, 2012
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Despite a feverish push in the final eight minutes of play, the Knights' rally fell short Sunday afternoon in its 72-54 loss to No. 13 St. John's in a future BIG EAST matchup at the Ocean Center.
Freshman Briahanna Jackson netted 10 points of a 12-0 run, but missed layups earlier in the game came back to haunt the Knights as the deficit was too large to overcome.
Jackson finished just shy of a double-double with team highs in points (20) and rebounds (9). Shenneika Smith led three St. John's players who tallied double-doubles with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds
Neither team could gain a considerable edge in the first 10 minutes, but UCF (0-2) started to gain momentum when Gevenia Carter dumped a pass down low to Stephanie Taylor on the block for a quick bucket to tie the game at 12-12.
Carter gave UCF its first lead when she swished a three from the right corner of the floor, but St. John's (1-1) wouldn't stay down for long. The Red Storm used transition offense to thrive on a 17-0 run capped by Nadirah McKenith's three from the top of the key with 1:05 remaining.
Jackson snapped the Knights' dry spell with a trey of her own with 45 seconds remaining, and UCF entered halftime trailing 32-20.
The Red Storm continued their flurry of baskets in the second half to extend their lead to as large as 26 points, 61-35, before UCF started to chip away at the gap.
UCF turned it on thanks to inspired play from Jackson, who strung together 10-straight points. The defense was in the zone as well, forcing a shot clock violation and coming up with three steals during a five-minute stretch.
However, the Red Storm was able to close out the game on a 9-2 run for the win.
The Knights return to the UCF Arena on Wednesday to face North Florida at 7 p.m. Season tickets, which start at only $30, are currently available by calling (407) UCF-1000 or by visiting UCFAthletics.com.