ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's basketball team relied on its defense in a 62-38 win over Georgia Southern in CFE Arena on Sunday afternoon.
"We had 10 days (between games), and we worked on our defense," UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. "We worked on being tough, getting your hands up. (Zakiya) had a lot of tips and steals from her defense, and that was really good for us."
UCF (5-4) locked down on defense to start the game, holding the Eagles to just three points in the first quarter. The Knights jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never trailed in the game.
Senior Aliyah Gregory and redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders each scored 16 points to lead the Knights. Saunders dished out a game-high seven assists and led the team with three steals. Freshman Masseny Kaba pulled down a game-leading 11 rebounds.
The defense was dominant.
- UCF held the Eagles to just three points in the opening quarter.
- The Knights limited Georgia Southern to just nine points in both the third and fourth quarters.
- The Black and Gold scored 12 points off 16 Georgia Southern turnovers.
- The UCF defense limited Georgia Southern to just one player in double figures, and held four Eagles scoreless in the game.
The seniors stepped up.
- Aliyah Gregory and Zakiya Saunders turned up the intensity to help the Knights to the victory.
- Gregory went 5-for-5 from the floor before missing her lone jumper of the contest. She finished 7-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line for her 16 points.
- The Tampa native also dished out a pair of assists and recorded a steal. She had no turnovers in 21 minutes of action.
- Saunders made seven field goals, and was 2-for-2 from the charity stripe for her 16 points.
- The Augusta, Ga., native dished out a season-best seven assists in 32 minutes of action.
The Knights hits the road for a three-game stretch, beginning with a Dec. 13 contest at Boston University. UCF will then head west for a pair of contests in California. The Knights are at UC Davis on Dec. 17 and Pacific on Dec. 20.
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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