ST. PETE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with No. 14/15 Syracuse, but was unable to complete the upset, falling 57-52 to the Orange in the St. Pete Shootout in the McArthur Center on Saturday evening.
UCF (10-2) trailed Syracuse (11-2) at the first quarter media timeout but closed the opening frame on a 9-2 run to hold a 15-9 edge after the first 10 minutes.
Masseny Kaba put the Knights up by six, 22-16, with 7:17 left in the second quarter, but the Orange chipped away at UCF’s advantage. Syracuse took a 29-27 lead into the locker rooms at the break.
UCF scored seven unanswered points to open the third quarter, starting with a three-pointer from Sydnee McDonald. Fifi Ndour used a jumper from the elbow to push the Black and Gold advantage to six, 44-38, with 1:03 left in the frame. UCF took a 44-41 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Orange rallied to tie the score at 46-46 with 7:31 remaining. The teams traded baskets for the next four minutes before Syracuse was able to push out to a 53-50 lead with 52 seconds remaining. A pair of free throws from Kay Kay Wright pulled the Knights back within one, 53-52, but Syracuse was able to clinch the victory at the foul line.
For the 10th time this season, UCF held its opponent under 60 points, and kept a Syracuse squad that averaged 82.6 points entering the game well below that mark. The Knights forced the Orange into 23 turnovers – one shy of their season high – and held a 39-38 rebounding advantage.
A trio of Knights finished with 11 points. Kay Kay Wright, who kept her double figure scoring streak alive for the 12th game this season, was joined by Masseny Kaba and Kayla Thigpen with 11 each. Six of Tolulope Omokore’s season-best eight rebounds came on the offensive end. Wright dished out a trio of assists and Thigpen collected three steals for the Black and Gold.
The Knights will take a short break for the holidays and return to action on Dec. 30 at Quinnipiac.
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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