DALLAS, Texas (UCFKnights.com) – Keeping its momentum rolling into 2018, the UCF women's basketball team posted a 60-42 win over SMU in Moody Coliseum on Wednesday evening.
UCF (10-5, 2-0 The American) trailed by two, 10-8, after the first quarter, but the Knights locked in during the second quarter. Outscoring SMU (6-9, 0-2 The American) 17-8 in the second frame, UCF took a 25-18 lead into the locker rooms.
The Knights continued to push in the third quarter, extending their lead to double figures. UCF led by as many as 18 points, 44-26, with just under a minute left in the frame, and took a 44-29 edge into the fourth quarter. SMU rallied to cut the deficit to 10 with 6:31 left on the clock, but the Knights outscored the Mustangs 10-2 over the final 5:34 to clinch the victory.
Freshman Masseny Kaba led a trio of Knights in double figures, scoring a game-high 16. Sophomore Korneila Wright and junior Lawriell Wilson each added 10 points. Redshirt junior Nyala Shuler pulled down nine rebounds, and tallied a career-best five blocks. Redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders tied her season high with seven assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Knights won their 10th game of the season.
- UCF has won its 10th game of the season, marking the first time since 2013-14 that the Knights won at least 10 games in back-to-back campaigns.
- The Knights are off to their first 2-0 start in The American since 2014-15.
- The Black and Gold picked up the program's second win at SMU, and the first since the 2014-15 season.
The defense was solid yet again.
- For the second straight contest, the UCF defense held its opponent under 50 points.
- The Knights are now 6-0 when holding their opponents under the 50-point mark.
- UCF forced SMU into 21 turnovers, and scored 23 points off the Mustang miscues.
- The Black and Gold have held their opponents to single digits in 12 quarters this season after limiting SMU to just eight points in the second frame.
- UCF collected 13 steals in the victory, marking the eighth time this season that the Knights have swiped double-figure steals.
Masseny Kaba was a spark for the Knights.
- The freshman forward scored the first basket of the game, and went on to score at least three points in each of the four quarters.
- The Dorchester, Mass., native scored in double figures for the second straight game, and the fourth time in the last five outings.
- Kaba finished with seven rebounds and tied her career-high with three steals. She added an assist and a block in a career-high 38 minutes.
NEXT UP
UCF returns to CFE Arena to welcome league newcomer Wichita State. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. start and will air 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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