ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – As the calendar turns to 2017, the UCF women's basketball team heads into the second half of its schedule. The Knights begin American Athletic Conference action on Sunday when they welcome No. 1 UConn. Tip is slated for 1 p.m. in CFE Arena.
Doors will open one hour prior to tip.
The Knights posted a 10-3 record during the nonconference season, matching the best start in program history. UCF is one of three teams (UConn, USF) in The American to enter league play with 10 wins.
UCF saw its four-game win streak, the longest of the season, snapped in its last outing. The Knights rallied in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome the deficit and dropped a 77-71 decision to UC Davis. Zykira Lewis posted her fifth 20-point performance of the season, leading the way with 22 points. Tolulope Omokore (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Joslyn Massey (10 points, 10 rebounds) both posted double-doubles in the loss.
Senior Zykira Lewis leads the Black and Gold, averaging 16.5 points per game and ranks fifth in the nation with 47 steals. The Bartow, Fla., native is shooting 43.5 percent from the floor and has a team-leading 27 three-point baskets.
Junior Aliyah Gregory averages 12 points per contest while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor. The Tampa, Fla., native ranks 45th in the country in steals per game (2.73). Redshirt senior Joslyn Massey, who leads the team with 95 rebounds, ranks 17th in the nation with 4.3 offensive rebounds per game. Freshman Korneila Wright has dished out a career-best eight assists twice this season, and paces the Knights with 51. The Orlando native averages team-high 30.3 minutes per game.
The Knights rank fifth in the nation in steals (175) and steals per game (13.5). With their opponents averaging just 52.3 points per game, the Black and Gold scoring defense ranks 11th in the country. UCF has outrebounded 12 opponents this season, with its 11.8 rebounding margin ranking 11th nationally.
UConn enters conference play with a 12-0 record. The Huskies have won their last 87 contests and lead The American standings.
Four Huskies average double figures, led by Katie Lou Samuelson's 20.8 points per game. Gabby Williams leads UConn with 8.3 rebounds per game. Napheesa Collier paces the Huskies with 24 steals and 21 blocks this season.
UConn is the top-ranked team in all national polls, and ranks second in the country in three-point field goal percentage (41.9) and sixth in field goal percentage (49.2). The Huskies are also second in the nation in assist to turnover ratio (1.53).
UCF and the Huskies meet for the fifth time on the hardwood. All four of the previous meetings have come in The American. Sunday marks the first time that UCF will open league play against the Huskies, but the second time playing on Jan. 1. The last New Year's Day contest was a 77-49 loss in 2014.
Next up, UCF continues American Athletic Conference action on Wednesday, heading to Cincinnati for a 7 p.m. contest with the Bearcats. The Knights are back in CFE Arena on Jan. 7, hosting Memphis at 2 p.m.
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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.
