ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's basketball team closes out the regular season on Monday evening as the Knights host Wichita State in Addition Financial Arena.
The Knights (18-9, 10-5 The American) and the Shockers (15-13, 7-8 The American) will tip at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
GAME INFO
Date: Saturday, Feb. 29
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Watch: Memphis Tigers Network
Listen: UCFKnightsTV on Twitch
Promotions: Senior Knight Recognition, Karaoke in-game
SENIOR KNIGHTS
Following the contest, UCF will hold its senior recognition ceremony for Kay Kay Wright, Sianni Martin, Grace Stant and Shanelle Osorio.
The four will be recognized on-court immediately following the conclusion of the game. Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats to celebrate the senior class.
THE AMERICAN STANDINGS
Monday's regular season finale will determine UCF's seed at the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championships. The Knights are currently in a three-way tie with Cincinnati and South Florida for second place.
All three teams, along with regular season champion UConn, secured a first round bye as the top four seeds in the tournament. The outcome of Monday's contests will determine UCF, Cincinnati and South Florida's seeds.
UCF, who finished second in the league in 2018-19, was selected to tie with Cincinnati for third in the preseason coaches poll.
KNIGHT NOTES
The Knights are led by Kay Kay Wright who averages 17.0 points per game, 3.9 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game. The Orlando native is the only Knight to rank in the top five of UCF's career charts in points, assists and steals. She has reached double figures in 22 of her 26 appearances and has scored in every contest, despite suffering an injury in the opening quarter of the UCLA game. Wright has hit the 20-point mark 11 times this season, with seven of those coming in the last 12 games.
The Knights have also seen a sophomore surge from Brittney Smith, who joins Wright as a double-digit scorer for the Black and Gold. Fifteen double-digit performances, including a pair of 20-point games, bumped her to a 10.7 points per game scoring average. The Orlando native is also second in rebounding with 5.1 boards per game.
Masseny Kaba leads the Knights with 6.7 boards per game and has 29 blocks on the season while averaging 8.6 points per game. Sianni Martin is UCF's third-leading scorer with 8.8 points per game.
The Knights rank 30th nationally in turnovers forced at 19.85 per game, having forced 26 of their 27 opponents into 10 or more turnovers. The Black and Gold hold a 3.96 turnover margin which ranks 40th in the nation. UCF's scoring defense also ranks 43rd nationally as the Knights are limiting opponents to 57.8 points per game.
SCOUTING THE SHOCKERS
UCF welcomes Wichita State for the lone regular season meeting betwen the programs. The Shockers enter the contest with a 15-13 overall record and a 7-8 mark in league play.
Mariah McCully leads the Wichita State with 13.3 points per game and 2.3 steals per contest. Seraphine Bastin averages a team-leading 5.5 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game.
Monday marks the third meeting between UCF and Wichita State. UCF is 2-0 all-time against the Shockers.
NEXT UP
UCF heads to Uncasville, Conn., for the 2020 American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights, who earned a first round bye for the fourth straight year, will open tournament action on March 7.
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