Nov. 19, 2014
Final Stats
="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported"> ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported"> UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's basketball team gritted its way back from a double-digit deficit but couldn't sustain the rally in its first loss of the season on Wednesday night.
In their first meeting with their old rival, Stetson, in seven years, the Knights (2-1) dropped a 67-49 decision at CFE Arena.
UCF senior forward Brittni Montgomery posted her second-straight double-double with a career-high 22 points to go with her team-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore Zykira Lewis strung together her third-straight game of double figures with 10 points and a career-high four steals.
"A really disappointing night. We missed a lot of easy baskets in the first half," UCF head coach Joi Williams said. "Stetson is a quality team and the rest of the teams on our schedule are qualities teams. You have to put those points in. We had great looks at it. We didn't play with a lot of toughness in the first half. We have to learn that defense is what's going to win basketball games. In the end, hopefully this will be a great lesson for us."
Stetson hopped out to an 11-2 edge in the first two-and-a-half minutes that prompted a UCF timeout. The Hatters led by as much as 16, but Montgomery was a steady, reliable force for the Knights in the paint.
The senior quietly chipped in 12 points with 8 rebounds and helped fuel an 11-1 run midway through the half to close the gap by the break, 31-23.
UCF opened the second half on a 13-2 run that gave the team its first lead of the game when freshman Aliyah Gregory sank a baseline jumper. Her bucket on the fast break was followed by a steal from Lewis, who finished strong with a layup, 36-33, with 15 minutes to play.
From there, the teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, and when Lewis swished a trey from the right corner in front of UCF's bench, she put her team ahead, 45-42.
After two-straight games of 90-plus points, the Knights' offense came to a standstill. Stetson's C.J. Coddington answered with a layup with 9:12 remaining that ended up sparking a 25-4 run that closed out the game.
The Knights will wrap up their four-game homestand when Jacksonville visits Tuesday at 7 p.m. UCF holds an 11-6 record all-time against the Dolphins.
Fans can get in on the action all year with the "Season Ticket Card," which is on sale now, starting at $30. Tickets are available today by calling (407) UCF-1000 or buying online by clicking here.