ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team begins postseason play on Thursday evening, hosting Stetson in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. in CFE Arena.
The Knights (20-11) earned the program's first WNIT appearance, and will host a postseason contest for the first time in program history. Senior Zykira Lewis, who has made more three-pointers than any Knight – man or woman – in UCF history, will make the first postseason appearance of her four-year career.
UCF hosts a familiar face in Stetson (26-6). Thursday's contest marks the 61st meeting between the programs, with UCF holding a 33-27 edge in the all-time series. The two squads met regularly while competing in the Atlantic Sun, and resumed the series in 2014. The Hatters have won the last two matchups, including an 83-68 decision in DeLand last season.
Tickets to Thursday's game are available now on UCFKnights.com. General admission tickets can be purchased for $7, while tickets for children (ages 2-17) at $5. All UCF students will receive free admission to the first round.
The Knights posted one of the best turnarounds in Division I women's basketball, as their 20 wins in the 2016-17 campaign marked 13 more victories than last season.
Reaching milestone after milestone under Abrahamson-Henderson's guidance, the Knights achieved numerous feats this season. One of those came on Feb. 14, when UCF knocked off then-No. 22 USF in the Sun Dome. In addition to collecting six points in the War on I4, the Knights earned the program's first win over a nationally ranked opponent, and their first win in Tampa.
The Knights picked up the program's first win in The American tournament on March 4, and nine days later achieved another program first: earn a bid to the WNIT.
The winner between UCF and Stetson will face the advancing team in the Georgia Tech-Jacksonville matchup. More information, including date, location and game time, will be determined following Thursday's contest.
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