MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) – A dominant second quarter led the UCF women’s basketball team to a 68-55 win over Memphis on Saturday evening in Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
UCF (12-2, 1-0 The American) outscored Memphis (5-9, 0-1 The American) 27-5 in the second quarter, making 80 percent of its shots from the floor.
The Knights held a slight edge, 9-8, after the first quarter, but turned up the intensity in the second frame. UCF never trailed in the ball game and held a double-digit lead the entire second half. The Black and Gold converted 23 Memphis turnovers into 22 points and scored 40 points in the paint.
Kayla Thigpen poured in 15 of her career-high 20 points in the second half to lead a trio of Knights in double figures. Kay Kay Wright extended her streak to 14 games scoring in double digits, finishing with 15 points and dished out seven assists. Jamesha Paul added 10 points for UCF.
Nyala Shuler pulled down four of her team-high nine rebounds on the offensive end. Brittney Smith collected a career-high two blocks in the win.
Opening Conference With A Win…Again
- UCF won its conference opener for the second straight year.
- The Knights are now 4-2 in their American Athletic Conference openers.
- The win over Memphis marked the third different team in The American that UCF has defeated in its opener. The Knights have also won openers against Houston and Temple.
Road Warriors
- Saturday’s win over the Tigers was UCF’s eighth victory away from home this season.
- The Knights played 10 games either on the road or at a neutral site, posting an 8-2 record.
- Four of the Black and Gold’s eight wins were by double-digits.
The Knights continue American Athletic Conference action on Tuesday, heading to South Florida for the first War on I-4 meeting between the squads this season. The 7 p.m. contest will air on ESPN3.
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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