UNCASVILLE, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) – The third-seeded UCF women's basketball team opens the 2018 Aaron's American Athletic Conference Championship on Sunday, facing No. 11 Temple at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The teams will tip off at noon in a matchup that will air on ESPN3.
The Knights, who earned their highest finish in The American, earned a bye for the second straight year. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
UCF LEADERS
UCF (20-9, 12-4 The American) reached 20 wins in the regular season for the first time since 1984-85, and just the second time as a Division I program. The Black and Gold received a vote in the WBCA/USA Today Top 25 for the first time in program history on Feb. 20.
Zakiya Saunders leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.0 points per game and has scored double figures in 21 of her 24 contests. Korneila Wright averages 10.9 points per game for the Knights. The duo combine to lead UCF in steals and assists. Saunders averages 2.9 and 3.8, respectively, while Wright averages 2.3 and 4.4 on the season.
Nyala Shuler has had seven double-digit rebounding outings and leads the team with 7.2 boards per game. Masseny Kaba has grabbed a team-high 87 offensive rebounds this season.
AMERICAN AWARDS
A pair Knights were recognized by the league on Friday. Zakiya Saunders was named to The American Second Team, and Masseny Kaba earned a spot on The American All-Freshman Team.
One season after setting the program-best in the league in victories (9) and seed (4), the Knights improved both marks this season, with 12 wins and a third seed.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Temple enters Sunday's contest with a 12-18 overall record. The Owls finished league play with a 3-13 mark to take the 11th seed. Temple leads the all-time series, 7-3, but the Knights hold the most recent victories. After picking up the first win over the Owls as members of The American on Dec. 30, UCF completed the season sweep with a Feb. 10 victory in Philadelphia.
First Team All-Conference selection Tanaya Atkinson entered the tournament averaging a team-best 21.0 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game. Mia Davis and Emani Mayo, both all-freshman team honorees, average 11.4 and 9.4 points per contest, respectively.
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.
