BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's basketball team dropped a 58-51 decision to Samford in Pete Hanna Center on Thursday evening.
Redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders scored a season-high 20 points, finishing one shy of her career high, and pulled down seven rebounds. Redshirt junior Nyala Shuler tied her career high with a game-high 12 rebounds and finished with four steals. Sophomore Korneila Wright added 12 points for the Knights.
UCF (4-4) held an 8-6 edge after the first quarter of action, and extended their advantage to five points to open the second quarter. The Bulldogs responded with a 14-4 run to close out the second frame and take a 23-18 lead into the locker rooms.
Samford pushed its advantage to eight points, 26-18, with 7:55 left in the third quarter. UCF bounced back with an 8-0 run that included six points from Saunders, to tie the game at 26 at the 5:12 mark. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the frame, but the Bulldogs took a 34-28 lead into the final 10 minutes of action.
Finding themselves down by 11 points at the 9:09 mark of the fourth quarter, UCF began to chip away at the Samford lead. Five consecutive points from Wright pulled UCF within four, 41-37, with 6:34 remaining.
Samford secured the victory from the charity stripe, hitting 14 of their 16 free throws over the final 6:12 of the game. UCF used a late basket from Wright and a three-pointer from junior Kayla Thigpen to close the gap, but the rally fell short in Birmingham.
The Knights return to action on Dec. 10, hosting Georgia Southern at 2 p.m.
SEASON TICKETS
The UCF women's basketball team is set for its second season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Season tickets are on sale now for $40. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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