ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team returns to action for the first time in 2022, making the midweek trip to New Orleans for the American Athletic Conference opener against Tulane.
The Knights (8-2) and Green Wave (8-3) tip at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday and the game will stream on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 5
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats
CHARGING ON TO CONFERENCE
UCF opens 2022 American Athletic Conference action on the road for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign, making the trip to New Orleans..
The Knights are 6-2 in their American openers. UCF has a 4-1 mark under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, with the lone loss coming against then-No. 1 UConn in the first season of Coach Abe's tenure. UCF is 1-0 against the Green Wave in league-opening matchups, topping Tulane 66-62 in Addition Financial Arena on Dec. 15, 2020.
UCF matched its highest preseason selection as members of The American for the second straight year, repeating as the second spot in the conference's preseason poll. The Knights also picked up a first-place vote from the league coaches for the third consecutive season.
South Florida claimed the top spot in the preseason poll. UCF was followed by Houston, Tulane and Temple, respectively.
KNIGHT NOTES
- The Black and Gold defense remains one of the best in the nation as UCF ranks second among Division I teams, limiting opponents to 48.2 points per game.
- UCF held seven of its 10 nonconference opponents below 50 points and six to their season low.
- Diamond Battles paces the Knights with 14.5 points per game, having reached double figures in eight of UCF's 10 contests. The Winter Haven, Fla., native is one of eight league players with three or more 20-point contests this season.
- Tay Sanders poured in a season-best 20 points at No. 14 Iowa, bumping her average to 10.8 points per game.
- Destiny Thomas has collected double-digit rebounds in four games and leads the Black and Gold with 8.1 boards per game.
- The Knights have appeared among the teams receiving votes in five straight USA Today/WBCA Top 25 polls.
SCOUTING TULANE
The Green Wave sit at 8-3 overall entering league play and ride a two-game win streak entering Wednesday. Tulane leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally in rebounds per game (46.36) and sixth in defensive rebounds (31.4).
Moon Ursin leads four members of the Tulane squad averaging double figures and is just shy of averaging a double-double with 15.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. She also matches Arsula Clark for the team-leading 3.8 assists per game. Krystal Freeman (12.8), Dynah Jones (12.5) and Clark (11.3) join Ursin in averaging double figures.
The Green Wave hold a 14-12 overall edge in the all-time series, but the Knights have won the last two matchups, most recently a 63-61 victory in New Orleans.
NEXT UP
UCF continues its conference road swing, heading to ECU for a Saturday matinee. The Knights and Pirates tip at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
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.