STORRS, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team held No. 1 UConn to its lowest outing in American Athletic Conference play, but came up short in an 80-44 loss in Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday evening.
"I think the first and the second quarters were the best," UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. "The third and especially the fourth (quarters), we lost a lot of focus. We were trying to key on the three-point shootings. Overall they only made seven, so that was a key."
UCF (11-6, 3-1 The American) matched No. 1 UConn (14-0, 4-0 The American) basket-for-basket and took a 6-4 lead on a jumper from senior Aliyah Gregory at the 5:21 mark. The Huskies closed the quarter on a 14-2 run to take an 18-8 edge.
After falling behind 26-10 with 4:50 remaining in the second quarter, UCF put together a scoring spurt of its own. Baskets from redshirt junior Nyala Shuler, redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders and sophomore Korneila Wright pulled the Knights within 10 points, 29-19, with 1:45 remaining. The Knights held UConn to its lowest scoring first half this season, heading into the locker rooms trailing 32-19.
The Knights opened the third quarter with a jumper from Gregory to cut the lead to 11, 32-21, but the Huskies were able to extend their advantage and took a 52-32 edge into the fourth quarter. UConn doubled up on the Black and Gold in the final 10 minutes to come away with the 80-44 victory.
Korneila Wright led UCF with 17 points, collecting five rebounds and three steals. Zakiya Saunders hit a career-best three three-pointers on her way to 13 points with two assists, two steals and a block. Freshman Masseny Kaba pulled down three of her seven rebounds on the offensive glass for UCF.
NEXT UP
UCF continues its road stretch, heading to No. 25 USF on Sunday. The game will tip at noon in the USF Sun Dome and will air on ESPNU.
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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