ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Three points are on the line in the War On I-4 rivalry series Sunday as the UCF women's basketball team hosts No. 21/22 USF in CFE Arena.
The second meeting between these two teams will tip at noon and air on CBS Sports Network. UCF (17-8, 9-3 The American) dropped a 62-45 decision against USF (21-5, 10-2 The American) in Tampa on Jan. 14.
The first 400 fans will receive a free "Beat the Bulls" t-shirt. Doors open at 11 a.m., and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
WAR ON I-4
- Three points toward the overall total will be on the line in the second War On I-4 meeting between the squads.
- UCF currently holds a 27-12 lead in the overall series, after a UCF men's basketball regular season sweep of the Bulls.
- Last season, UCF claimed all six points in women's basketball with a 66-62 win in Tampa. The Bulls collected three points with a 62-45 home victory earlier this season.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
The UCF defense will again face a challenge, as the Bulls enter the contest averaging 76.0 points per game, which ranks 36th nationally.
The Knights have held opponents to an average of 53.8 points per contest, which ranks fifth in the country. The scoring defense is also the best is program history, and marks the first time since the 2004-05 campaign with back-to-back seasons of holding opponents under 60 points per game.
Zakiya Saunders and Korneila Wright rank among the top 75 in the country in steals per game. Saunders leads the team with 2.75 steals per contest, while Wright averages 2.48 steals per game.
AROUND THE AMERICAN
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Knights rank third in the league with a 9-3 record.
The Knights will play two of teams currently joining them in the top four. In addition to Sunday's contest against USF (10-2), the Knights will travel to Houston (8-4) on Feb. 24. UCF, who was selected to finish fourth in The American preseason poll, has tied its best win total in The American at nine victories. The top four teams in the standings will receive a first round bye at The American Championship, which will begin on March 3.
Zakiya Saunders leads the Knights and ranks 13th in the league with an average of 14.5 points per game. Nyala Shuler and Masseny Kaba are among the top 15 in the conference with average of 7.1 and 6.2 rebounds per game, respectively. Saunders is also among the top five in assists per game (4.1) and steals per contest (2.8), while Korneila Wright ranks seventh and fourth in the same categories.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
- USF enters the contest with a 21-5 overall record and a 10-2 conference mark.
- The Bulls lead the all-time series, 23-6, and hold a 7-1 edge in The American.
- A trio of Bulls average double figures, led by Kitja Laksa's 20.1 points per game. Maria Jespersen adds 18.1 points per contest and collects 9.5 rebounds per game.
- Laura Ferreira averages 10.3 points per contest and has a team-leading 36 steals.
- Laia Flores averages 6.2 assists per game. Five Bulls have double-figure blocks, led by Tamara Henshaw's 18 on the season.
NEXT UP
UCF heads to Memphis for an 8 p.m. ET matchup with the Tigers on Feb. 21. The game will air on the American Digital Network.
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