ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The first –and only – meeting of the season between UCF and No. 22/23 USF comes with extra incentive for the two squads. One team has a chance to extend its school's lead in the War On I-4 rivalry series while the other has the opportunity to put its squad ahead in the point total.
With just one meeting on the schedule this season, the winner of Tuesday's game between the Knights and the Bulls will earn all six points towards the overall department score. UCF currently holds an 18-15 edge in the series after an 86-64 victory from the Knights men's team on Jan. 17.
Slated for a 7 p.m. start in the Sun Dome, ESPN3 will broadcast the American Athletic Conference matchup between the Knights and the Bulls.
UCF (15-9, 5-6 The American) takes a two-game win streak into Tampa. The Knights, who have tied the program-high for league wins since joining The American, cruised to a home victory over Houston on Feb. 8 and rallied to overcome a 13-point deficit en route to a 62-58 win at Tulsa on Feb. 11.
Junior Aliyah Gregory earned honor roll recognition from the league for her performance last week. The Tampa, Fla., native tied her season-best with 28 points in the win over Houston, which she followed by tying her career-high with 33 points in the victory at Tulsa. Gregory has scored a combined 89 points over her last three outings.
Defense has been the mainstay for the Knights this season. UCF is holding opponents to just 56.0 points per game, which ranks 20th in the nation. The Black and Gold continue to lead the league and rank 13th in the country with an average of 11.7 steals per contest.
With three steals at Tulsa, senior Zykira Lewis moved into the single season top 10 at UCF. The Bartow, Fla., native ranks 12th nationally with 75 steals during the 2016-17 campaign.
Offensively, the Knights have relied on the hot hands of Lewis and Gregory. The duo has combined to lead UCF in scoring in the last 18 games. Gregory ranks third in The American, averaging 20.0 points per game.
Lewis, who became the second Knight in program history to reach 1,700 career points, averages 15.0 points per game in conference action. She native has 54 three-pointers on the season, which marks her third-straight season ranking in the top 10 at UCF for single season three-pointers.
No. 22/23 USF sits second in The American standings with a 20-4 overall record and a 9-2 mark in league play.
Three Bulls average double figures, led by the reigning American Player of the Week Kitija Laksa's 19.6 points per contest. Maria Jespersen paces USF with 9.2 rebounds per game. Tamara Henshaw has a team-high 26 blocks. Laia Flores has dished out 149 assists, while Ariadna Pujol has a team-leading 33 steals.
USF has won 19 straight contests against the Knights and leads the all-time series 22-5. UCF has never won in Tampa.
Next up, UCF returns to CFE Arena to host East Carolina on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will serve as the Play4Kay game to raise breast cancer awareness and will broadcast on the American Digital Network.
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