BUIES CREEK, N.C.— The UCF women's basketball team turned in a close game on Tuesday, topping Campbell 62-60 in the Gore Arena.
UCF (2-0) recorded a season-best 14 steals and held Campbell (2-1) to 21-of-53 from the field.
The Black and Gold showcased a balanced offense as eight Knights scored and two – Laila Jewett and Taylor Gibson – finished in double figures.
The Fighting Camels scored first, but the Knights responded with a 9-0 spurt to go in front, 9-2, with 7:37 left in the opening frame. Once UCF took the lead, it never relinquished it. The Knights ended the first half with a one-point advantage, 35-34.
Campbell tied the game at 57 with 5:17 left in the fourth. Destiny Thomas answered with a layup followed by Mya Burns going 2-of-2 at the line to make it 61-57. The Camels hit a three to close the lead, 61-60 with 43 seconds remaining in the game. Ashton Verhulst made a free throw with 0.8 seconds left, 62-60.
UCF scored 30 points off 26 Campbell turnovers. The Knights held a 14-5 steal advantage and scored 23 bench points.
Jewett led the way with 12 points, shooting 100 percent (2-2) from the line. Gibson added a season-high 10 points and season-high five rebounds. Thomas added in an even stat line of nine points and rebounds.
The Knights are back home on Tuesday, Nov. 22, hosting Louisiana-Monroe at 6 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena.