ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team opened its season with a 74-58 win over Pitt at Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
The Knights (1-0) topped the Panthers (0-1) for the second straight year in front of a record 6,970 fans. Third through fifth grade OCPS students filled the stands for Education Day to help the Knights set an attendance record.
Kay Kay Wright led four Knights in double figures, finishing with 16 points. Sianni Martin added 15 and Masseny Kaba chipped in 14. Brittney Smith posted a career-game with 12 points and 11 rebounds for her first career double-double.
Diamond Battles dished out a career-best nine assists and matched Kaba with a pair of steals.
The Knights outscored the Panthers 44-25 in the second half
- Trailing by nine after the first quarter and three at halftime didn't deter the Knights.
- UCF nearly outscored Pitt's second-half production (25 points) in the third quarter alone (24 points).
- UCF shot 50 percent from the floor in the third quarter and 54.5 percent in the fourth quarter.
- The Knights defense limited Pitt to 26.3 percent from the field in the final frame.
- The Black and Gold forced the Panthers into 21 turnovers, which led to 26 points for UCF.
UCF opened its season with a win for the third time in four years under Coach "ABE"
- Wednesday's victorious marked the third time in four seasons under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson that the Knights have started a campaign in the win column.
- UCF's 74 points mark the most points in a season opener under Coach "ABE."
- The Knights' previous best came in the inaugural season under Abrahamson-Henderson, a 69-52 victory at FIU to start the 2016-17 slate.
The Black and Gold made good use of its newcomers
- Four Knights made their UCF debuts, including a pair in the starting lineup.
- Courtajia Sanders and Georgia Gayle earned their first starts at UCF.
- Jnaya Walker and Destiny Thomas both saw their first action as Knights as well.
- After appearing in 30 contests as a freshman, Diamond Battles earned her first career starting nod to open her sophomore campaign.
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.
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