ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - For the first time in the American Athletic Conference, the UCF women's basketball team is off to a 3-0 start with a 59-53 win over Wichita State on Saturday afternoon in CFE Arena.
UCF (11-5, 3-0 The American) trailed by two, 12-10 after the first quarter, but the Knights battled back. After falling behind by seven, 17-10, UCF scored six unanswered to pull within one, 17-16, with 6:43 left in the second quarter. The Knights kept Wichita State (5-12, 0-3 The American) within reach and outscored the Shockers 7-3 over the final 2:53 to take a 27-26 edge into the break.
The teams traded baskets over the 10-minute third period, but junior Lawriell Wilson used a late layup to put the Knights in front 39-37 heading into the final frame.
UCF opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run and forced Wichita State into three turnovers in the first two minutes of action. Redshirt senior Zakiya Saunders gave UCF an eight-point advantage, 55-47, with 2:10 left on the clock and the Knights withstood a late push from the Shockers to collect the victory.
For the third straight game, freshman Masseny Kaba led the Knights with 13 points. Zakiya Saunders added 12 points with five assists and three steals. Lawriell Wilson chipped in 10 points. Sophomore Korneila Wright collected a team-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists.
The Knights are 3-0 in The American for the first time.
- In its four previous seasons in The American Athletic Conference, UCF's best start was 2-0 during the 2014-15 campaign.
- The Black and Gold have only won three consecutive games in The American once, going on a six game-win streak last season.
- The Knights won the first-ever meeting between UCF and Wichita State.
Masseny Kaba continues to be a force for UCF.
- For the second consecutive game, the freshman forward scored the first two points of the game, and went on to score at least two points in each of the four quarters.
- The Dorchester, Mass., native has scored in double figures in all three of her league contests, and in five of the last six outings.
- Kaba leads UCF with an average of 14.0 points per game in league action. She finished the game with seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
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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