ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The 2019-20 UCF women's basketball season officially opens on Wednesday as the Knights host Pitt in Addition Financial Arena.
The teams will tip at 11 a.m. on RoofClaim.com Court. Admission is free and fans can watch the contest on UCFKnights TV free of charge.
Education Day 2019
When the Knights and Panthers tip on Wednesday, they'll be doing so in front of third through fifth grade students from 15 schools in the OCPS school system. Wednesday's contest will serve as Education Day 2019.
Students in attendance will be provided with an Education Day booklet that includes educational and interactive components that can be completed throughout the course of the game. Members of the UCF basketball team will also be wearing shirts of the schools in attendance during warmups.
Knight Notes
UCF opens its fourth season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson on Wednesday. In her three seasons at the helm, Coach "ABE" has led the Knights to three consecutive postseasons. Guiding the Black and Gold to its first at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in school history, her 2018-19 squad posted a program-record 26 victories while finishing as the runner-up in The American for the first time in league history.
The Knights begin their season in the receiving votes category of the USA Today/WBCA Preseason Top 25 for the second straight year. UCF received votes in one or both national polls every week last season, and entered the postseason ranked 15 in the RPI.
Kay Kay Wright headlines UCF's five returners for the 2019-20 campaign. The American Athletic Conference Co-Preseason Player of the Year was named to the watch list for the 2020 Nancy Lieberman Award as one of the top 20 point guards in the nation during preseason. The Orlando native was UCF's leading scorer last season and enters her final season at UCF ranked fourth all-time in assists (383), sixth in steals (207) and is just 46 points shy of joining the career top 10 in points (1,108).
The Knights also return Masseny Kaba, Diamond Battles, Brittney Smith and Sianni Martin while welcoming nine newcomers into the fold.
Complete Game Notes
Scouting the Panthers
Pitt enters its second season under head coach Lance White. The Panthers posted an 11-20 overall mark in 2018-19.
The Panthers return a pair of starters in Aysia Bugg, who led Pitt in scoring through five games last season before missing the remainder due to injury, and Cara Judkins, who led the team in rebounding and double-doubles last year. Kyla Nelson, Jahsyni Knight and Ismini Prapa are back for Pitt, while the Panthers welcome seven newcomers to their squad this season.
UCF and Pitt face off for the second straight season. Last year, the Knights rallied to overcome an 11-point deficit, outscoring the Panthers 20-11 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 61-58 victory in the Peterson Events Center.
Next up, the Knights open a three-game road stretch at Belmont on Nov. 9. The game will tip at 8 p.m. ET in Nashville and will stream on ESPN+.
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.
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.
