Jan. 30, 2016
UCF WBB vs. TULSA (1/30/2016) - Images by UCF Knights
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- With seven seconds left, the ball released from UCF junior Zykira Lewis' hands, and the fist clench that followed happened almost instantly.
Trailing by 2 points with 16.3 seconds left in the game, the Knights drew up a plan that put the ball in Lewis' hands at the top of the arc. She drained the 3-pointer to clinch the 75-74 win over Tulsa as the UCF women's basketball team's bench and the rest of CFE Arena erupted in euphoria.
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"It was perfectly executed and just really proud of their focus in that huddle to execute that play," UCF head coach Joi Williams said. "We've got all the confidence in the world for Zy to take that shot. We'll live and die with it."
UCF had once led by as much as 13 points in the fourth quarter with 9 minutes to go. Tulsa chipped away and eventually claimed its first lead of the game, 73-72, with 1:37 remaining thanks to a 12-2 run.
Forced to put Tulsa at the line, the Knights got a break with Ashley Clark only converted 1-of-2 bonus attempts, allowing Lewis to hit her fourth trey of the day for the team's first home conference win of the year.
Single Season Treys
? Thanks to her four 3-pointers on Saturday, Zykira Lewis put her name on UCF's single-season top-10 list for the second straight year.
? Lewis' current season total of 54 ranks ninth.
? Last year, the Bartow, Fla., native set a new school record with 86.
Ndour's Big Day on the Boards
? Although she only played 13 minutes in the first half, Fifi Ndour finished with a game-high 11 rebounds, two short of her career best.
? By halftime, Ndour had more rebounds than Tulsa acquired as a team (10).
? It marked Ndour's first double digit rebound game since Tulane (Jan. 10).
Notable Numbers
? In addition to Zykira Lewis' team-high 21-point effort, three other Knights finished with double digits.
? Redshirt freshman Nyala Shuler recorded her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Joslyn Massey nearly joined her with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
? Sophomore Aliyah Gregory contributed 14 points and a game-high six assists.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
? The Knights shot 50 percent from the field (31-62) and 50 percent from 3-point range (6-12).
? UCF dished 18 assists in the game, marking a new best during conference play this season.
? UCF outscored Tulsa on the fast break, 17-0.
Up Next
? UCF spends its longest stretch on the road next week on a five-day trip to Houston (Feb. 3) and SMU (Feb. 6).
? The Knights are 9-5 against Houston and have won six in a row in the series.
Story by Jenna Marina; Photos by Simone Amaduzzi and Brad Helton; Video by Keith Hellebrand and Kevin Craig