ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – A slow start did not deter the UCF women's basketball team as the Knights earned a 49-42 win over Cincinnati in Addition Financial Arena on Saturday afternoon.
UCF (15-8, 7-4 The American) stepped up defensively in the second half to hold Cincinnati (16-8, 7-4 The American) to just 22 points – including eight in the final 10 minutes. The Knights relied on their defense in the contest as they had a slow offensive start to the game. After a four-point first quarter, UCF outscored the Bearcats in the second frame, but trailed 20-15 at halftime.
The Knights began to chip away in the third quarter and were able to take their first lead of the day on a pair of free throws from Kay Kay Wright with just under two minutes left in the frame. After Cincinnati reclaimed the advantage on a basket with 1:27 left, Courtajia Sanders put the Knights in front for good with two shots at the charity stripe. UCF led 35-34 heading into the final 10 minutes.
UCF maintained its lead in the final frame, holding off each rally from the Bearcats. Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch secured the Black and Gold's home victory as the Knights went 8-for-8 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
The Knights outrebounded the Bearcats, 43-31. UCF also limited IImar'I Thomas, the conference's leading scorer, to just six points on 2-of-5 shooting from the field.
With the victory, UCF moved into a three-way tie with Cincinnati and Tulane for third place in the conference standings.
Kay Kay Wright led all scorers with 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds. She moved into third on UCF's career chart with a trio of steals against Cincinnati. The Orlando native also moved into fifth on the made field goals list with 572 during her tenure with the Black and Gold.
Courtajia Sanders just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Masseny Kaba was added nine points and grabbed eight boards. Diamond Battles pulled down a season-best seven rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
NEXT UP
UCF continue action in Addition Financial Arena on Feb. 19, hosting South Florida in the second round of the War on I-4. The teams tip at 6 p.m. on ESPN3.
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