NEW ORLEANS, La. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women’s basketball team dropped a tough 61-59 decision to Tulane in Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devin Fieldhouse on Wednesday evening.
UCF (20-4, 9-2 The American) knotted the score at 59-59 with 21 seconds left, but Tulane (15-9, 5-6 The American) sank a pair of free throws to clinch the victory.
The teams were all tied up 13-13 after the first quarter of action. The Knights began to heat up in the second quarter, draining back-to-back three-pointers to take a 30-19 lead. UCF held a 32-27 advantage at the break.
Tulane opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run to go in front, but UCF responded with an 8-0 spurt of its own to take a 40-35 edge. The squads traded baskets down the stretch, but the Green Wave was able to cut UCF’s lead to two, 45-43, heading to the fourth quarter.
The Green Wave led by as many as seven points, 57-50, with 2:37 left in the final frame. In the next two-minute span, Sydnee McDonald hit a trio of three-pointers, outscoring Tulane 9-2 by herself to tie the game at 59 with 21 seconds remaining.
After coming up with a defensive stop, the Knights were unable to convert on the offensive end. Tulane clinched the victory at the charity stripe for the final score.
Kay Kay Wright, who registered her 11th 20-point performance of the season, led the Knights with 21 points and dished out six assists. McDonald hit five three-pointers for 15 points and Kayla Thigpen added 10. Masseny Kaba collected a season-high 13 rebounds.
Next up, UCF returns to CFE Arena to host No. 4 UConn. The teams will tip off at 2 p.m. ET 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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