BUFFALO, N.Y. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's basketball team stormed back in the fourth quarter, but fell just short at the end against Buffalo. The Knights dropped a 66-65 decision to the Bulls in Alumni Arena on Thursday evening.
UCF (6-2) held an early 4-0 lead before Buffalo took control of the contest. The Knights trailed by as many as 19 points, 40-21, with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter before making a fourth-quarter rally.
The Black and Gold went on an 11-4 run early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to single digits, 49-40, with 4:55 left to play. Senior Zykira Lewis hit five three-pointers down the stretch. She cut the lead to four, 64-60, with her fourth trey of the game. A Buffalo foul under the basket on the play sent sophomore Jamesha Paul to the free throw line where she pulled the Knights within two, 64-62, with 21 ticks left.
After the Bulls responded with a pair of points from the charity stripe, Lewis made it a one-point ball game with 16 seconds left. The Knights reclaimed possession of the ball after a pair of missed Buffalo free throws, but the final drive to the basket rolled off. UCF, unable to complete the comeback, suffered its first road loss of the season.
Zykira Lewis led all scorers with 23 points, adding a pair of steals and assists. Junior Aliyah Gregory also finished in double figures, adding 16. Redshirt sophomore Nyala Shuler and sophomore Tolulope Omokore each grabbed eight rebounds. Jamesha Paul dished out three assists for the Knights.
Fourth Quarter Fight
* Entering the final 10:00 of play trailing 43-29, UCF was able to cut Buffalo's lead to single digits, 49-40, on a layup from redshirt senior Joslyn Massey at the 4:55 mark.
* The Knights scored 36 points in the fourth quarter alone, marking the highest output in a single quarter this season.
* Zykira Lewis scored 19 of her points in the final quarter, hitting four treys in the final 2:05.
* UCF held Buffalo to just three field goals with eight attempts in the final frame.
UCF returns to CFE Arena on Sunday, hosting Bethune-Cookman in a 2 p.m. matchup. A domestic violence awareness toy drive, benefitting The Spring of Tampa, will be held prior to the game. Fans that bring a toy will receive a Knightro bobblehead. The first 400 fans will receive an ugly sweater t-shirt.
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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.
