Masseny_KabaMasseny_Kaba

Mustangs Managed

VIdeo Recap PDF Box Score YouTube

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. 
 
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.