ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women’s basketball team fed off the crowd’s energy to earn a close 58-56 win over Houston in CFE Arena on Wednesday evening.
UCF (18-3, 7-1 The American) and Houston (10-10, 4-3 The American) battled for much of the contest, with neither team enjoying more than an eight-point advantage.
The Cougars jumped out to the early lead and held a 20-18 edge after the first quarter. The Knights responded to take a 31-30 lead into halftime. After falling behind by seven points, 41-34, less than three minutes into the third quarter, UCF responded to take a 44-43 lead with just under a minute left in the frame but entered the fourth quarter trailing 45-44.
A 10-2 run to start the final stanza gave UCF its largest lead of the game, 54-47, with 5:36 left to play. After the Cougars cut UCF’s advantage to two, 54-52, with 2:12 remaining, Kayla Thigpen rattled in a jumper to push the Black and Gold lead back to four, 56-52. The Knights kept the Cougars at bay and clinched the 58-56 victory at the free throw line.
Kayla Thigpen led all scorers with 16 points, dishing out two assists to go along with a pair of steals and a block. Masseny Kaba added 11 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Kay Kay Wright and Diamond Battles each recorded a trio of assists, while Battles collected a game-high three steals.
Winning Numbers
- UCF improved to 8-0 in CFE Arena this season.
- The Knights have won their last 10 home contests, dating back to Feb. 18, 2018.
- UCF held a 32-28 rebounding advantage and scored 20 points off 20 Houston turnovers.
- The Knights have now won five straight against Houston.
Strength in Numbers
- Ten Knights saw action in the victory.
- Nine members of the squad collected at least one rebound and eight tallied at least two points.
- Five Knights combined for 10 steals and six combined for 12 assists.
- UCF’s bench came up big yet again, as the Knights reserves poured in 33 points.
UCF returns to CFE Arena on Sunday to host South Florida at 1 p.m. The second installment of the War on I-4 contests between the squads this season will air on ESPN2.
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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