ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – For the second time in the last three games, the UCF women’s basketball team completed the comeback to earn a 55-43 victory over SMU on Saturday afternoon in CFE Arena.
UCF (16-2, 5-0 The American) outscored SMU (7-11, 1-5 The American) 27-4 over the final 11:56 of the game, pouring in 24 points in the fourth quarter.
The Knights fell behind early but held a 14-12 advantage after the first quarter of action. After Kay Kay Wright put UCF ahead 18-14 with 4:46 left in the second quarter, SMU went on a 13-0 run to take a 27-18 lead into the locker rooms.
UCF pulled within three on a pair of occasions midway through the third quarter, but the Mustangs responded with an 8-0 scoring spurt to reclaim a double-digit lead, 39-28, with 1:56 remaining in the frame.
Trailing 39-31 entering the final 10 minutes, the Black and Gold went to work. Sydnee McDonald gave UCF its first lead since midway through the second quarter, draining a three-pointer to put the Knights up 40-39.
A basket from Nyala Shuler and another three-pointer from McDonald gave UCF a 45-39 advantage. Masseny Kaba pushed the Black and Gold lead to double digits, 52-41, with 1:21 remaining and Wright drained a three-pointer with time winding down to clinch a 55-43 win.
Extending her double-digit scoring streak to all 18 games this season, Kay Kay Wright posted a game-high 21 points while dishing out five assists and collecting five rebounds. Sydnee McDonald hit five three-pointers on her way to 19 points. Nyala Shuler pulled down 10 rebounds and Lawriell Wilson dished out four assists.
Congratulations, Coach “ABE”
- Saturday’s victory gave UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson the 300th victory in her coaching career.
- Coach “ABE” became the fastest UCF women’s basketball head coach to reach 50 wins in the Division I era on Dec. 9 when the Knights defeated Delaware 71-60.
- Coach “ABE” now has 59 victories at the helm for the Knights.
Still Streaking
- UCF is off to its best start in the Division I era at 16-2.
- At 5-0, the Knights are not only off to their best start in The American, but the best start since the 1982-83 season when they went 9-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.
- The Knights are also on a six-game win streak, one shy of their season-best seven-game win streak.
Climbing the Charts
- A pair of Orlando natives continue their climb up the UCF career charts.
- Kay Kay Wright’s five steals moved her into eighth all-time with 178, passing Brinda Green.
- Wright moved into fifth in career assists in the win over Tulsa, but her five dimes on Saturday put her career total at 334.
- Nyala Shuler posted her sixth double-digit rebounding game of the season, pushing her career total to 755 boards.
- Shuler, who joined the career top 10 in blocks in the Jan. 13 win over Cincinnati, tallied her 74th career block in Saturday’s win, moving her into a tie with Takira Allen (2001-05) for ninth all-time.
UCF heads to ECU for a midweek matchup. The 7 p.m. contest will air on the American Digital Network.
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.
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.