ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- Sixteen home games highlight the 2016-17 UCF women's basketball schedule, which was announced Friday by UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.
As UCF gears up for its fourth season as a member of the American Athletic Conference -- one of the nation's premier women's basketball leagues -- the Knights are slated to face seven programs who advanced to the NCAA or WNIT Tournaments a year ago.
"We are very excited for the 2016-17 schedule," Abrahamson-Henderson said. "We have a group of phenomenal young ladies and they are working hard every day. We're blessed to represent UCF and are looking forward to the season."
UCF tips off the season Nov. 11, making a short trip south to face FIU. The Knights make their debut at home two days later when they welcome South Alabama to CFE Arena.
The Knights will spend their holiday weekend hosting the UCF Thanksgiving Classic for the second straight season. UCF faces Rider on Nov. 28 and will see Austin Peay the following day.
A trip to New York to take on Buffalo opens the month of December. The Knights have home matchups against Bethune-Cookman (Dec. 4) and Gardner-Webb (Dec. 10) before heading to Georgia Southern on Dec. 17.
The non-conference schedule concludes with a two game homestand. The Knights host Nebraska-Omaha on Dec. 20 and UC Davis on Dec. 28.
For the second straight season, UCF will ring in the New Year at home. The Knights host three-time defending national champion UConn in the league opener on Jan. 1. The Knights head to Cincinnati (Jan. 4) before returning home to face Memphis on Jan. 7.
The Knights make back-to-back road trips to take on Houston (Jan. 11) and East Carolina (Jan. 18) before returning home for matchups against Tulsa (Jan. 21) and Cincinnati (Jan. 24).
UCF heads to Memphis on Jan. 28 and takes on SMU in Dallas on Feb. 4. The Knights welcome Houston on Feb. 8.
After heading to Tulsa on Feb. 11, the Knights make the trip down I-4 for their lone meeting with in-state rival USF on Feb. 14. UCF returns home for a Feb. 18 contest against East Carolina and wraps up road action at Tulane on Feb. 22
The Knights close out the regular season with a two game homestand, welcoming SMU on Feb. 25 and Temple on Feb. 27.
The American Athletic Conference Championship will be held again at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., March 3-6. The winner of the American Athletic Conference Championship will receive an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
Complete television and streaming designations, including contests on ESPN3 and the American Digital Network, will be announced at a later date.
Coach Abe is set to begin her first season with the Knights. Seniors Zykira Lewis and Joslyn Massey highlight an experience group of returners for the Black and Gold. The Knights bring back starters in all five positions, including junior Aliyah Gregory and sophomores Ashley Polacek and Nyala Shuler. UCF brings in three talented newcomers, including Orlando native Korneila Wright.
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. Adult season tickets are available for $30, and youth tickets (ages 2-17 years) are available for $15. For more information, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.