ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team is headed to the west side of the state to face South Florida in the second round of the War on I-4 on Sunday in the Yuengling Center.
The game between the Knights (17-3, 9-1 The American) and the Bulls (17-6, 7-2 The American) will stream live on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN2
Live Stats
WAR ON I-4
• Three points are up for grabs in the second meeting between UCF and South Florida. The Knights earned the first three points in a 67-51 victory over the Bulls on Jan. 16.
• UCF holds a 27-12 advantage in the 2021-22 edition with victories by its men's soccer, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball and football teams. The Knights also picked up six points at the cross country championship. The Bulls added their points in men's and women's soccer and men's basketball.
• UCF won the inaugural 2016-17 trophy, 51-33, and the 2017-18 edition 49-35. The Knights won their third straight overall War on I-4 trophy with a final tally of 70-14. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the spring sports in 2020, UCF led the War On I-4 rivalry series 36-9. The Knights won last season's overall rivalry series 59.25-24.75.
KNIGHT NOTES
- The Knights rank third in the nation, limiting opponents to 50.8 points per game. UCF is also seventh nationally in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a 34.3 field goal percentage.
- UCF averages 11.3 steals this season, which ranks 17th in the country, and is 40th with 19.40 turnovers forced. The Black and Gold have forced each opponent this season into double-digit turnovers, with eight committing 20+ turnovers.
- Diamond Battles paces the Knights with 14.5 points per game, having reached double figures in 15 contests this season. The Winter Haven, Fla., native is one of three league players with six or more 20-point contests this season.
- Tay Sanders is UCF's second-leading scorer on the season, averaging 10.8 points per game.
- Alisha Lewis, who tied The American and UCF single game records with 10 steals against Houston, ranks 16th in the country in steals per game, averaging 2.85. Her 57 steals ranks 31st among Division I student-athletes.
- Destiny Thomas leads UCF and ranks 121st nationally with 8.1 rebounds per game. She is one of six league players with eight or more games with 10+ rebounds this season.
- The Knights, who have appeared among the teams receiving votes in 13 straight USA Today/WBCA Top 25 polls so far, received votes in the AP Top 25 on Jan. 17.
SCOUTING SOUTH FLORIDA
The Bulls are 17-6 overall, with a 7-2 mark in league play. South Florida has won five of its last six contests entering Sunday. The Bulls are 22nd in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 55.0 points per game, and are 26th in rebounding margin (7.6).
Elena Tsineke leads a trio of Bulls averaging double figures with 14.8 points per game. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu adds 11.8 points per game and 7.6 rebounds for South Florida while Bethy Mununga averages a double-double with 10.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per contest. Elisa Pinzan dishes out 5.8 assists per game. Mununga ranks fifth nationally in total rebounds (272) and seventh in rebounds per game.
South Florida leads the all-time series 26-12, but UCF holds the most recent victory, a 67-51 decision on Jan. 16 in Orlando.
NEXT UP
UCF returns to Addition Financial Arena to host Wichita State on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
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