ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team returns to CFE Arena on Saturday to host league newcomer Wichita State.
The game is slated for a 2 pm start and will air on the American Digital Network.
UCF (10-5, 2-0 The American) returns to Orlando having won six of its last seven contests. A 60-42 victory at SMU marked just the second time the Knights have collected a win in Dallas. The Black and Gold earned their 10th win, marking the first time with back-to-back 10-win seasons since the 2013-14 campaign.
UCF LEADERS
- A trio of Knights average double figures, led by Aliyah Gregory and Zakiya Saunders at 13.6 points per game and 13.4 points per contest, respectively.
- Korneila Wright averages 10.5 points per game and leads the team with 58 assists and 39 steals.
- With four double-digit rebounding games this season, Nyala Shuler leads UCF with 7.6 rebounds per contest. She has a team-leading 43 offensive rebounds this season.
NATIONAL KNIGHTS
- UCF ranks in the top 50 nationally in four statistical categories, landing in the top 20 in a pair.
- The Knights are 16th in scoring defense (54.8) and 17th in steals (167).
- UCF is 32nd in steals per game (11.1) and 48th in three-point field goal defense (27.7).
- Individually, Korneila Wright is 29th in the nation in steals (39) and 60th in steals per game (2.60),
AROUND THE AMERICAN
- UCF is tied for first in the league after winning its first two conference contests of the season.
- The Knights rank among the top three teams in nine conference-only statistical categories, and lead the league in turnover margin (+9.5).
- Masseny Kaba, who turned in double-figure performances in both of her league outings, is the top-ranked freshman in scoring. The Dorchester, Mass., native averages 14.5 points per contest, which ranks ninth overall.
- Nyala Shuler posted a career-best five blocks at SMU, moving her up to second in the league category.
- Zakiya Saunders averages 6.0 assists per game in conference action, tied for the second-most among league players. Korneila Wright averages 2.5 steals per game, which is tied for third in the conference.
SCOUTING THE SHOCKERS
- Wichita State enters the contest with a 5-11 overall record, and an 0-2 mark in The American. The Shockers fell 67-62 their league debut against Tulsa on Dec. 30 before dropping a 73-55 decision at Houston.
- Saturday marks the first meeting between UCF and Wichita State.
- Rangie Bessard leads the Shockers, averaging 18.8 points per game on the season and 22 points per contest in league play. She is also the top rebounder for Wichita State, averaging 7.6 rebounds on the season and 10.5 in conference action.
- Bessard and Sabrina Lzada-Cabbage each have 13 blocks on the season, while Jeliah Preston and Diamond Lockhart each have a team-leading 19 steals.
NEXT UP
UCF hits the road for back-to-back league matches. The Knights travel to No. 1 UConn on Jan. 9 before heading to No. 22 USF on Jan. 14.
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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