ORLANDO – A dominant first quarter set the tone as UCF cruised to a 74-39 win over Cincinnati in Addition Financial Arena on Saturday afternoon, clinching the American Athletic Conference regular season title.
UCF (21-3, 13-1 The American) poured in a season-high 33 points in the opening 10 minutes while holding Cincinnati (11-16, 4-11 The American) to just 11 points in the first half.
Four Knights finished in double figures while no Bearcat had more than nine points.
All seven Knights that saw action in the first period scored, with Destiny Thomas and Brittney Smith each tallying eight points. UCF pushed its advantage to 42-11 at halftime.
UCF kept a double-digit lead for the entire second half on its way to clinching the first regular season championship in The American. Saturday marks UCF's first regular season title since the 2005 Atlantic Sun title.
The Knights scored 32 points in the paint and used 16 offensive rebounds to score 19 points. UCF held a 43-29 rebounding edge.
Thomas and Smith each finished with 16 points. Thomas tallied her second double-double of the season with 12 rebounds. Diamond Battles added 12 points with four assists and three steals. Tay Sanders chipped in 10 points. Alisha Lewis had six assists with three steals.
Next up, UCF closes out the regular season against Tulsa on March 2.
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