ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team returns to Addition Financial Arena for a midweek matchup against Tulane on Wednesday.
The Knights (12-3, 4-1 The American) and Green Wave (11-6, 3-3 The American) tip at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 26
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats
Purchase Tickets
PROMOTIONS
The UCF Art Club will have displays in the lobby of Addition Financial Arena, as well as at the top of the student section. There will also be a speed painter at halftime.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
During the Coach Abe era, the Knights have ranked among the best in the country defensively and the 2021-22 season is following the same pattern. UCF is limiting its opponents to 49.5 points per game, which ranks third nationally.
The Black and Gold have held nine opponents below 50 points, with two - Duquesne and Virginia - failing to reach 40 points. UCF is also holding opponents to a 35.2 field goal percentage, which ranks 25th in the nation.
The Knights average 11.9 steals this season, which ranks 15th in the country, and rank 33rd with 20.27 turnovers forced. UCF has forced each opponent this season into double-digit turnovers, with seven committing 20+ turnovers.
KNIGHT NOTES
- The Knights, who have appeared among the teams receiving votes in 10 straight USA Today/WBCA Top 25 polls so far, made their season debut on the receiving votes list of the AP Top 25 on Jan. 17.
- Diamond Battles paces the Knights with 13.9 points per game, having reached double figures in 11 contests this season. The Winter Haven, Fla., native is one of eight league players with four or more 20-point contests this season.
- Tay Sanders garnered the first American Athletic Conference Player of the Week accolade of her career after averaging 20.5 points per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field in the wins over Houston and South Florida. She is UCF's second-leading scorer on the season, averaging 11.2 points per game.
- Alisha Lewis, who tied The American and UCF single game records with 10 steals against Houston, ranks seventh in the country in steals per game, averaging 3.36. Her 47 steals ranks 19th among Division I student-athletes.
- Destiny Thomas leads UCF and ranks 103rd nationally with 8.2 rebounds per game. She is one of six league players with six or more games with 10+ rebounds this season.
SCOUTING TULANE
The Green Wave are 11-6 on the season, with a 3-3 mark in league play. Tulane brings a three-game win streak into Orlando. Wednesday marks the second meeting between the squads this season, with UCF earning a 54-47 victory in Orlando in both teams' league openers on Jan. 5.
Four members of Tulane's squad average double figures, led by Moon Ursin's 13.5 points per game. Ursin is just shy of averaging a double-double with 9.5 rebounds per contest. Dynah Jones averages 12.8 points, while Arsula Clark adds 11.9 and Krystal Freeman chips in 11.4 points per game. Mia Heide averages 1.4 blocks per game for the Green Wave.
Wednesday marks the 28th meeting between the Knights and the Green Wave. Tulane holds a 14-13 edge, but the Knights have won three straight in the all-time series.
NEXT UP
UCF heads to Wichita State on Jan. 29 for its first meeting against the Shockers. The game tips at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Knights then have a quick turnaround, returning to Orlando to host Temple on Monday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Gameday app right to your iOS or Android phone. The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Click here to download the app now.