ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – Defense was key in the UCF women's basketball team's 66-40 win over Stetson on Wednesday afternoon in Addition Financial Arena.
The Knights (4-2) overcame an early 12-0 deficit to outscore the Hatters (3-4) 13-4 over the final 5:56. Four points in the first three minutes of the second quarter gave UCF its first lead of the game. Back-to-back three-pointers from Georgia Gayle gave the Black and Gold a 24-20 advantage with 4:16 left in the first half, and the Knights continued to push from that point on. At halftime, UCF led the Hatters 31-22.
To start the third quarter, Diamond Battles found Masseny Kaba on a fastbreak, pushing the Knights' advantage to double digits, 33-22. After leading by as many as 13 points, the Black and Gold held a 44-33 lead heading into the final 10 minutes. The Knights locked down defensively in the final frame, limiting Stetson to just seven points while pouring in 22 for the final score of 66-40.
Kay Kay Wright led the Knights with 20 points and five assists. Destiny Thomas grabbed a career-best 10 boards to lead UCF in rebounding and tallied a pair of blocks. Georgia Gayle drained four three-pointers for 12 points. Diamond Battles led the Black and Gold with a career-best five steals.
The defense was key.
- UCF forced Stetson into a season-high 35 turnovers, converting them into 31 points.
- Nine Knights combined for a season-best 21 steals. Diamond Battles led the way with five steals. Four other Knights collected a trio of steals each.
- The Knights held the Hatters to a pair of single digit quarters – six in the second frame and seven in the fourth.
Everyone stepped up.
- For the second game in a row, 10 Knights saw action.
- Nine Knights scored and collected a rebound.
- Four Knights were perfect from the free throw line, including Kay Kay Wright who was 6-for-6.
- UCF also took care of the ball, with a season-low 14 turnovers.
- The Knights collected 19 offensive rebounds, scoring 21 second chance points.
Next up, UCF returns to action after Thanksgiving, heading to Charlottesville, Va., for the Cavalier Classic. The Knights open against No. 11 UCLA on Nov. 30 and face James Madison, who is receiving votes for the top 25, on Dec. 1.
TICKETS FOR 2019-20
The UCF women's basketball team is set for its fourth season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Purchase season tickets by clicking here or calling (407) 823-1000.
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