ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With the fourth seed securely clinched in the 2017 Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference championship, the UCF women's basketball team turns its focus to No. 20/23 Temple.
For Joslyn Massey and Zykira Lewis, Monday night's contest holds a little more weight. When they take the court for the 7 p.m. tip, it will be the final time the duo plays a regular season game in CFE Arena.
Lewis, a key four-year member of the UCF women's basketball program, has scattered her name throughout the record books. The Bartow, Fla., native has made more three-pointers than any Knight in UCF history – men or women.
However, the accolades aren't the most important thing for the Lewis.
"It's family," Lewis said of the program. "Being around my teammates is fun. During these four years, I've played with different players and we've all gelled together. It's been fun and amazing to have these relationships that I've built."
Massey echoed the sentiment.
"My teammates have meant a lot," she said. "They've been a big part of my family. It's not just a team thing; we're sisters for life."
At 19-9 overall, with a 9-6 mark in American Athletic Conference action, the Knights have secured the first winning season since the 2010-11 campaign. For Massey, a Detroit, Mich., native, the family-like atmosphere that's encouraged by the coaching staff has carried over onto the court.
"I'm surrounded by a lot of great people," Massey said. "To be able to finish out my senior year with a winning season and a great program, being able to start that with them has been great."
Both Lewis and Massey acknowledged the growth they've seen in themselves, from freshman year to now.
Now the pair, along with the rest of their teammates, look to finish the regular season strong on Monday.
Temple (22-6, 12-3 The American) heads to Orlando for the lone regular season meeting between the squads. The Owls, who are the second seed in the league, have won all six meetings as members of The American.
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