HAMDEN, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women’s basketball team closed out its non-conference on a high note, rallying for a 47-45 win at Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon.
UCF (11-2) trailed Quinnipiac (5-6) for more than 31 minutes in the game, but the Knights captured the lead when it counted. Trailing 27-17 at halftime, the Black and Gold began to chip away at the lead in the third quarter, pulling within two, 31-29, with 2:08 left in the frame. The Bobcats pushed back out to a five-point advantage, 36-31, at the end of the third.
Five points from Kay Kay Wright pulled UCF even with Quinnipiac, 36-36, to start the fourth quarter. Wright gave UCF the lead at the 6:24 mark before the teams began trading baskets. Wright broke a 42-42 tie to put the Knights up with just under two minutes left. Lawriell Wilson extended the lead with a pair of free throws. Despite a late push from the home team, the UCF defense locked in on the final possession, collecting a clutch rebound as time expired to claim the win.
UCF shot 76.9 percent from the free throw line and held a 44-34 rebounding advantage.
Kay Kay Wright scored all 17 of her points in the second half to lead UCF. Lawriell Wilson added seven. Masseny Kaba and Jamesha Paul each chipped in six points. Nyala Shuler grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds, while Kaba collected eight.
Still Making History
- UCF won its 11th game of the season – the most non-conference Division I wins in program history since becoming a member of a conference in 1985-86.
- The 11-2 start is UCF’s best start as a Division I program.
- The win over Quinnipiac was the fourth win for the Black and Gold over a team that made the 2018 NCAA Tournament, and the second in the last three games.
Road Warriors
- Sunday’s win at Quinnipiac was UCF’s seventh victory away from home this season.
- The Knights played nine games either on the road or at a neutral site, posting a 7-2 record.
- UCF faced nine opponents that made a postseason tournament – NCAA or WNIT – last season and amassed a 7-2 record against those opponents.
The Knights open American Athletic Conference action at Memphis on Jan. 5 in a game that will air on CBSSN.
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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