ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team is headed to Cancun for a pair of games at the 2021 Cancun Challenge, set for Nov. 25-27 at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
UCF will compete in the Riviera Division, which features the Knights, Idaho State, Iowa, Seton Hall, Toledo and USC. The Black and Gold open against USC on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 9 p.m. The Knights close out the challenge against Idaho State on Friday, Nov. 26 at 9 p.m.
The contests will both be first-time meetings for the Knights.
All games will be broadcast through FloHoops (www.FloHoops.com).
UCF enters the 2021-22 campaign with its entire starting five from the 2020-21 season. All-in-all, the Knights return every letterwinner from a year ago, including The American Newcomer and Co-Sixth Player of the Year Alisha Lewis, all-conference honorees Brittney Smith and Tay Sanders and all-tournament selections Diamond Battles and Masseny Kaba.
Cancun Challenge Full Schedule
(All times ET):
Thursday, Nov. 25
Mayan Division
Fordham vs. Baylor, 11 a.m.
Arizona State vs. Houston, 1:30 p.m.
Riviera Division
Iowa vs. Seton Hall, 4 p.m.
Toledo vs. Idaho State, 6:30 p.m.
USC vs. UCF, 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 26
Mayan Division
Baylor vs. Arizona State, 11 a.m.
Houston vs. Fordham, 1:30 p.m.
Riviera Division
Toledo vs. Seton Hall, 4 p.m.
Iowa vs. USC, 6:30 p.m.
Idaho State vs. UCF, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 27
Mayan Division
Fordham vs. Arizona State, 11 a.m.
Baylor vs. Houston, 1:30 p.m.
About the Cancun Challenge
Produced by Triple Crown Sports, the Women's Cancun Challenge began in 2005; there was no event in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions. UCF joins Fordham and Houston as first-time participants. Baylor, Seton Hall, Toledo and USC are making their second trips. Idaho State has come on two other occasions, while 2021 will mark the fifth time that both Arizona State and Iowa have attended.
The 2021 field features four teams – UCF, Baylor, Idaho State and Iowa – that played in the 2020 NCAA Tournament.
In addition to UCF's Riviera Division, the 2021 Cancun Challenge features the Mayan Division, which welcomes Arizona State, Baylor, Fordham and Houston. Four teams in this year's tournament played in the 2020 NCAA Tournament (Baylor, UCF, Idaho State, Iowa).
The games will be played in the modified ballroom at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Seating is limited for this exclusive event, and all fans should book land travel packages through Triple Crown Sports for admission into games in Mexico. Travel packages are the only way to guarantee admission to games at this time. For travel package information, contact Sarah Molina at 970-672-0533 (sarah@triplecrownsports.com) or visit the website at www.cancunchallenge.net.
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