DELAND, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women’s basketball team scored the first five points and never looked back in a 78-55 victory at Stetson in the Edmunds Center on Wednesday evening.
UCF (2-0) outscored Stetson (0-2) by 20 points in the first quarter and held a 44-25 edge heading into halftime. The Hatters made a run in the third quarter, but the Black and Gold kept the game out of reach, pouring in 21 points in the final quarter.
Sydnee McDonald led all scorers with 24 points and was one of three Knights to reach double figures. Kay Kay Wright added 17 and Lawriell Wilson collected seven of her 11 points from the charity stripe. Nyala Shuler pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Sydnee McDonald was on fire offensively for the Knights.
- McDonald reached double figures and became the first Knight to reach the 20-point mark this season.
- For the second consecutive game, she hit multiple three-pointers, draining six from behind the arc against the Hatters.
- She shot 66.7 percent from the floor (8-12) and from three (6-9).
- The Flint, Mich., native became the first Knight to hit five or more three-pointers in a game since Zykira Lewis accomplished the feat, also against the Hatters on March 17, 2017.
- McDonald pulled down four rebounds, dished out a pair of assists, collected a steal and tallied a block in 32 minutes.
Nyala Shuler was solid on the boards for UCF.
- For the second straight game, Shuler pulled down double-digit rebounds, collecting 11 at Stetson.
- The Orlando native pushed her career total to 641, claiming sole possession of seventh on the UCF career top 10 list.
- Three of her boards came off the offensive glass, leading to a putback for the forward.
- Shuler also dished out a trio of assists in 32 minutes of action.
Strong start, solid finish.
- In a reversal of its start in the season opener, UCF started the game going 5-for-5 from the floor.
- The Knights shot 76.9 percent in the opening quarter, holding a 29-9 advantage.
- While Stetson made a push in the second and third frames, the Knights held the advantage entering the final 10 minutes of play.
- UCF finished strong, shooting 60 percent from the floor and outscored the Hatters 21-12 in the final frame.
Next up, the Knights continue their road stretch, heading to Mercer on Nov. 18.
TICKETS FOR 2018-19
The UCF women's basketball team is set for its third season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Purchase season tickets by clicking here or calling (407) 823-1000.
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