ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After topping Gardner-Webb on Dec. 10, the UCF women's basketball team is enjoying a week to focus on final exams and rejuvenate before its next game on Dec. 17.
The Knights have an 8-2 overall record one month into the season. Their two losses – by a combined four points – came at the hands of two currently undefeated teams, Virginia Tech (10-0) and Buffalo (8-0). UCF has already passed its win total from the entire 2015-16 campaign with three games left in the non-conference schedule.
Three Things To Know About the Knights
Tons of Toys
Junior Aliyah Gregory started it off last year, hosting a toy drive to benefit a domestic violence shelter in her hometown of Tampa, The Spring of Tampa. The cause was close to Gregory's heart, as she lost her aunt in a domestic violence incident in 2011. She shared her story with the Orlando Sentinel.
This season, Gregory joined forces with UCF Athletics and the UCF SGA. The first toy drive took place prior to the women's basketball game on Dec. 4. Fans donated 277 new, unwrapped toys. A second toy drive was held prior to the men's basketball game on Dec. 10 and saw 199 new, unwrapped toys donated.
A total of 476 toys were donated to The Spring of Tampa.
More Milestones
Senior Zykira Lewis' first points in the Dec. 10 win over Gardner-Webb – fittingly on a three-pointer – pushed her to the 1,500 mark in her career. Lewis finished with 20 points in the win, her third time reaching the 20-point mark this season. She is now tied with Chariya Davis (1995-99) for the fourth-most in school history at 1,517 points.
The Bartow, Fla., native needs just three treys to tie the UCF record for career three-pointers, and four to claim the title outright. She also ranks fourth in school history with 560 field goals made.
Focusing more on her defensive efforts, Lewis has 38 steals through the first 10 games and ranks third in the nation in the category. Her 3.80 steals per game rank seventh in the country. She is just six away from becoming the sixth Knight in program history to amass 200 career steals.
Dynamic Defense
The UCF defense has been stifling this season. The Knights are allowing just 50.8 points per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. The Black and Gold have held all 10 opponents under 70 points this season.
UCF has 137 steals as a team and averages 13.7 per game, both of which rank fifth in the nation. A pair of Knights, Zykira Lewis and Aliyah Gregory, rank in the top 60 in both total steals and steals per game.
For the second straight season, the Knights have been dominant on the boards. UCF has outrebounded all but one opponent this season and ranks 11th in the country in rebounding margin.
UCF hits the road for the final time in non-conference action, facing Georgia Southern on Dec. 17. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. Statesboro, Ga. The Knights return to CFE Arena on Dec. 20 to host Omaha at 2 p.m. and close non-conference play on Dec. 28 when UC Davis comes to town for a 7 p.m. 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.
