UNCASVILLE, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) – A late rally fell short for the UCF women's basketball team as the Knights dropped a 57-51 decision to Cincinnati in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship on Sunday evening in Mohegan Sun Arena.
UCF (20-10) scored the first four points and led Cincinnati (22-9) 17-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Knights pushed out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter and took a 36-25 advantage into the locker rooms.
The Black and Gold scored the first two points of the third quarter but went cold from the floor for the remainder of the frame. Cincinnati responded with 18 points to take a 43-39 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Knights fell behind by as many as 10 points in the final quarter but rallied back to cut the deficit to one point, 52-51, with 1:39 remaining. The Bearcats scored the final five points for the 57-51 victory.
Kay Kay Wright and Brittney Smith led UCF with 12 points each. Masseny Kaba added 10 points and collected eight rebounds. Wright and Kaba each collected a trio of steals. Diamond Battles dished out three assists.
UCF will now await to learn its postseason fate on Monday, March 16. The Knights are 35th in the RPI and seek their second at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
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