ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team is back in CFE Arena to host the two-day UCF Thanksgiving Classic, which begins Saturday. The Knights open against Rider at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The purchase of one ticket is good for both games for that day. Tickets can be purchased here. More information about the tournament can be found here. Please note that West Plaza Drive is closed to traffic due to Light Up UCF.
With their mission in sight, the Knights are off to a 4-1 start. Check out the latest episode of Mission In Sight above.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 26
Austin Peay vs. St. Bonaventure – 12 p.m.
UCF vs. Rider – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 27
St. Bonaventure vs. Rider – 12 p.m.
UCF vs. Austin Peay – 2:30 p.m.
The Knights
The Knights return home after a Tuesday night victory over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Junior Aliyah Gregory scored a season-best 18 points to lead UCF to its third road win of the season. The Black and Gold are 3-0 away from home this season, recording one more victory already this season than last year.
Senior Zykira Lewis leads the Black and Gold, averaging 15.4 points per game with 17 steals this season. Junior Fifi Ndour averages 12.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. Redshirt senior Joslyn Massey averages 8.2 boards, with 27 of her 41 coming on the offensive glass. Freshman Korneila Wright leads the Knights with 16 assists this season and has 10 steals to her credit.
UCF ranks seventh in the nation in steals (68), while its rebounding margin (+13.0) ranks 22nd in the country. Joslyn Massey's 5.4 offensive rebounds per game are the seventh-best in the country, while Zykira Lewis' 17 steals rank No. 10 in the nation.
The Field
Austin Peay, Rider and St. Bonaventure make their way to Orlando to play in the UCF Thanksgiving Classic.
Austin Peay enters the weekend with a 4-1 overall record. After dropping their season opener, the Governors have won four straight contests. Senior Tearra Banks leads Austin Peay, averaging 15.5 points per contest while shooting 60.8 percent from the floor and grabbing eight rebounds per game.
UCF leads the all-time series, 1-0, over the Governors. The Knights topped Austin Peay, 77-57, on Dec. 22, 1999 at the UCF Holiday Classic.
Rider brings an unblemished 3-0 record into the weekend. The Broncs opened the season with a road win at Princeton, followed by home wins over Lafayette and La Salle. Senior Robin Perkins is one of four Broncs to average double figures, leading the way with 17.7 points per game. Senior Julia Duggan pulls down an average of seven rebounds per contest.
The Broncs hold the advantage in the all-time series with a 76-74 home win on Nov. 23, 2007.
Though the Knights won't face them this weekend, St. Bonaventure will also suit up on the blacktop at CFE Arena. The Bonnies are 1-3 overall this season and will take on Austin Peay and Rider. Mariah Ruff leads St. Bonaventure with 12.8 points per game, while Gabby Richmond averages 8.3 rebounds per contest.
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Don't miss any of the action during Coach Abe's first season with the Knights. 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.
