ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team returns to action on Friday as the Knights welcome No. 12/15 Tennessee to Addition Financial Arena.
The teams tip at 6 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Date: Friday, Nov. 12
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Purchase Tickets
PROMOTIONS
- Game Show Night
- Giant Jenga, Connect 4, Corn Hole, and other games on top of student section
- XPogo Halftime Show
- Script Shirts will be thrown out during the t-shirt tosses in game
LAST TIME OUT
UCF stifled Duquesne in its 68-39 season opener on Nov. 9 in Addition Financial Arena. The Black and Gold defense came ready, forcing the Dukes in 23 turnovers. UCF had 14 steals, scoring 21 points off turnovers and 12 on the fast break.
The Knights poured in 26 points in the fourth quarter while holding Duquesne to just 17 points in the third and fourth frames combined.
Ahna Burney scored a career-best 16 points, making a career-high six field goals and a best four three-pointers. Diamond Battles hit four triples of her own, setting career high in the category while also shooting 66.7 percent from beyond the arc. Destiny Thomas made her starting lineup debut and was three points shy of the first double-double of her career. Alisha Lewis matched her career-best with eight assists.
CLOSE CONNECTIONS
Despite the lack of history on the hardwood, there are connections between UCF and Tennessee. UCF head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson faced the Vols during her tenure as a member of the Georgia women's basketball team. UCF assistant coach Nykesha Sales played for UConn at the start of the storied rivalry between the programs and faced the Lady Vols seven times in her career.
Both Coach ABE and Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper spent time at the helm of Missouri State. Coach ABE led the Bears from 2002-07, winning three Missouri Valley tournament titles and a pair of regular season championships, while Harper guided Missouri State to two MVC tournament championships from 2013-19. UCF associate head coach Tahnee Balerio was also a two-time MVP and team captain for Missouri State.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE
Tennessee makes the trip to Orlando with a 1-0 record after topping Southern Illinois, 59-49, Wednesday evening in Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols rode a late run to victory, outscoring the Salukis 17-2 in the last five minutes of play.
Tennessee was led by Jordan Walker's 14 points. Alexus Dye added 12 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Rae Burrell scored 12 points in the first half.
The Lady Vols were selected to finish second in the SEC media preseason poll, and third in the coaches poll. Tennessee advanced to the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Four Lady Vols have earned Southeastern Conference honors during their careers. Rae Burrell was named All-SEC Second Team in 2020-21, while Tamari Key was selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team and Marta Suárez was chosen for the SEC All-Freshman Team. Jordan Horston was picked for the SEC All-Freshman Team two seasons ago in 2019-20.
THE SERIES
Friday marks the first meeting between the Knights and Lady Vols.
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