ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team opened the new year and American Athletic Conference play the same way it closed 2019 – in the win column. The Knights topped ECU, 91-55, on Sunday afternoon in Addition Financial Arena.
UCF (9-4, 1-0 The American) won its fifth straight game with the victory over ECU (3-11, 0-1 The American.) The Knights scored 37 seconds into the contest and never relinquished the lead.
The UCF defense was dominant from the tip, limiting the Pirates to just 15 first half points and a 36.8 field goal percentage for the game. The Knights forced ECU into 23 turnovers, converting those into 21 points.
The Black and Gold jumped out to an 11-0 lead to start the game and held a 37-point lead, 52-15, at halftime. The Knights pushed their lead to 45 points, 68-23, in the third quarter and kept a 30-point advantage through the final buzzer.
UCF's 91 points were not only a season high, it also marked the most points that the Knights have scored in a league contest in their seven-year tenure in the American Athletic Conference.
Brittney Smith scored a career-high 21 points to lead UCF, hitting a career-best eight field goals and going 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
All 18 of Georgia Gayle's points came from behind the arc as she went 6-for-7 from deep. Sianni Martin added 14 points. Masseny Kaba had seven rebounds and matched her career high with four blocks. Kay Kay Wright dished out eight assists and collected a trio of steals.
The Knights extended their win streak.
- UCF's win streak is now at five, as the Knights improved to 9-4 on the season.
- The Knights are also 8-0 in Addition Financial Arena.
- The Black and Gold also opened conference play in the win column for the third straight year. UCF is now 5-2 in its American Athletic Conference openers.
Everyone chipped in as the Knights opened league play.
- Eleven Knights saw action in the first game of 2020.
- Ten Knights scored and collected a rebound.
- Three Knights finished in double figures, led by a career-high for Brittney Smith.
- UCF finished with a season-best 20 assists on 27 made field goals.
- The Knights also shot a season-best 51.9 percent from the field and 56.3 percent from beyond the arc.
NEXT UP
The Knights heads to Cincinnati on Jan. 12 for a league contest in Fifth Third Arena. UCF and the Bearcats will tip at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
TICKETS FOR 2019-20
The UCF women's basketball team is in its fourth season under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. Purchase season tickets by clicking here or calling (407) 823-1000.
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