Jan. 25, 2015
Box Score
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By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
DALLAS, Texas (UCFKnights.com) - Zykira Lewis waited a while to sink her first 3-pointer of Sunday's game at SMU, but when she did, the sophomore couldn't have picked a better time.
With SMU on their heels, the Knights drew up an inbounds play for Lewis, who drilled a catch-and-shoot trey for a bit of breathing room with 2:40 to go.
She followed that up with a nothing-but-net 3-pointer from the top of the key, upping her team's edge to 59-50, and the Knights were able to hold on for their first win in program history at SMU, 61-57.
Lewis and Aliyah Gregory once again notched double figures to lead the Knights. Lewis went a near-perfect 8-of-9 from the free throw line en route to 18 points while Gregory chipped in 10. Freshman Fifi Ndour came up big on the boards with a team-high 8 to go along with her 7 points and 4 assists.
A Brittni Montgomery-Ndour one-two punch fueled an 11-2 run for the Knights (7-12, 3-5 American) in the opening minutes. SMU was held without a field goal for the first 4:40, but once Gabrielle Wilkins popped the lid open, she set off an 8-1 spurt for the Mustangs that got them back into the game.
Although the Knights struggled from the field, UCF was able to maintain its edge thanks to a solid effort from the free throw line. UCF sank 11-of-14 from the charity stripe, and by halftime, the team held a 28-25 lead.
SMU (4-15, 0-8) came out and sank four straight free throws for its first lead of the matchup, but UCF didn't stay down for long.
After Bryeasha Blair converted a pair from the line, Lewis took an elbow to the face from Alicia Froling that resulted in a flagrant foul. She coolly hit both bonus free throws, and Andrea Hines hit a 12-foot jumper on the Knights' subsequent possession.
The momentum shifted just like that, and coupled with two more Lewis free throws and an offensive put-back from Hines, UCF regained a 42-36 edge with 12 minutes to go.
Unfortunately, UCF's tendency to foul allowed SMU to slowly chip away at the deficit. When Froling drained a 3 from the top of the key with 5:53 to play, UCF led by a single possession 51-48.
Gregory had a running jumper in the lane and Lewis followed with her timely treys. SMU made one last grab at the lead when Morgon Bolton sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key as Hines was cited for a foul on Wilkins.
The basket counted, and Wilkins was sent to the free throw line where she converted both to complete the rare 5-point play.
Hines and Montgomery closed it out at the free throw line for the Knights, sinking one apiece to clinch the team's first road win since Dec. 27 at Houston.
UCF will have a quick turnaround as they return to Orlando to host Temple at 7 pm. Tuesday. The Knights will look to avenge a 72-57 loss to the Owls in Philadelphia just 10 days prior.
Fans can get in on the action with the "Season Ticket Card," which is on sale starting at $15. Tickets are available today by calling (407) UCF-1000 or buying online by clicking here.