ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Every member of the UCF women's basketball team contributed in a 59-51 American Athletic Conference victory over Tulane in CFE Arena on Wednesday night.
"We did a good job of subbing people in and out," UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. "We had a nice little chat at halftime of how we (couldn't) let up. That was a big game for us."
UCF (12-7, 4-2 The American) jumped out to a 6-0 lead and maintained its advantage for the entire 40-minute game. The Knights pushed their lead to double figures heading into the locker room, 32-20, and entered the fourth quarter with a 47-30 edge. The Black and Gold withstood a push from the Green Wave down the stretch and earned the 59-51 victory.
The Knights collected 20 of their 46 rebounds on the offensive end, and outrebounded the Green Wave 46-27. UCF outscored Tulane 40-12 in the paint and shot 43.6 percent from the floor.
Freshman Masseny Kaba led the way with 16 points and collected a career-high four steals. Sophomore Korneila Wright added 14 points and dished out a game-high seven assists. Redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
UCF turned in a total team effort.
- All seven Knights who saw action scored at least four points and collected at least three rebounds.
- Four members of the UCF squad dished out at least one assist.
- Five Knights combined for 13 steals, marking the 11th time this season that UCF has swiped 10 or more steals.
- UCF limited Tulane to just 51 points and is now 4-0 in The American when holding their opponents under 56 points.
Zakiya Saunders posted her first double-double as a Knight.
- The redshirt senior collected a career-high 12 rebounds and added 11 points for her first double-double with the Black and Gold.
- Saunders split her rebounds evenly, collecting six on offense and six on defense.
- The Augusta, Ga., native drained her eighth three-pointer of the season, dished out five assists and collected three steals in 36 minutes of action.
The Knights earned their first home win over the Green Wave in The American.
- UCF entered the contest on a two-game win streak against Tulane, collecting two wins last season.
- The Knights defeated the Green Wave in New Orleans and in the quarterfinals of The American Championship.
- UCF was 0-3 against Tulane in The American when playing at home.
- The last time the Knights defeated Tulane at home came on Feb. 17, 2011 in a 73-69 overtime win, and the last time UCF came away victorious at home in regulation came in a 77-71 result on Feb. 22, 2008.
NEXT UP
UCF hosts SMU at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The game will stream on the American Digital Network.
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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