Dec. 30, 2015
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF women's basketball team took the fight to Florida but the Gators were able to ride out a big third quarter to hang on for a 93-79 win in the American/SEC Challenge at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on Wednesday night.
Related: Box Score
Meeting for the first time in five years, the Knights led at the end of the first quarter and trailed by just four points at halftime, 36-32.
The Knights found themselves down by as much as 23 in the third quarter but pulled back within 10 points with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Although UCF outscored the Gators by seven in the final period, UF's 34-17 edge in the third period proved to be the difference maker.
UCF received monster performances from juniors Zykira Lewis and Joslyn Massey. Lewis tallied her third 20-point game of the season with a game-high 28 points and as a result, etched her name among UCF's career top 10 scoring leaders. Massey recorded a career high 20 points and game-high 10 rebounds.
"Proud of our fight," UCF head coach Joi Williams said. "We came out and started the game like we talked about. When we went down, we talked about not quitting. We talked about continuing to fight and that's what they did."
Breaking The Press
? UCF came out firing on all cylinders to take an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
? The Knights broke down the Gators' press with 8 fastbreak points in the first 10 minutes and scored 14 of their 18 in the paint.
? By halftime, UCF had outscored UF on the fastbreak, 11-2.
Another Milestone for Lewis
? Having already joined the 1,000-point club this season, junior Zykira Lewis achieved another milestone by breaking into UCF's all-time top 10 scorers.
? She entered Wednesday's game needing 10 points to propel herself into the group, and when she swished her first 3-pointer in the game with less than 2 minutes to go before halftime, Lewis hit the mark.
? After Wednesday's 28-point outing, her career total now sits at 1,107, which is just four points shy of the No. 9 spot on the list.
Trio of Double-Doubles
? Joslyn Massey posted her third double-double of the year and did it in style with her first 20-point performance.
? Massey netted 10 points in the fourth quarter thanks largely to a 4-of-4 showing from the field.
? She finished with just as many offensive boards (5) as defensive rebounds for a game-high matching 10 rebounds. It marked the fifth time this season she has led the Knights in rebounds.
Up Next
? The Knights begin league play in their first game of the New Year with a home matchup against Cincinnati on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.
? The two teams last met in the quarterfinals of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Championship and Cincinnati advanced with a 76-66 win.
Story by Jenna Marina