ORLANDO - Rachel Ranke made a season-high 5 three-point field goals, along with a season-high and game-high 21 points as UCF Women's basketball (8-3) defeated Elon (4-7) in their second game of the Christmas Classic on Wednesday afternoon. Freshman guard Sierra Godbolt contributed with a career-high eight assists and added four steals as UCF won their eighth game of the season.
The first quarter was a defensive battle for the Knights, both teams came out locked in on defense, forcing six turnovers each. UCF held Elon to 18.8 field goal percentage and Elon had zero made field goals in the last four minutes of the quarter.
The Knights defensive prowess continued into the second quarter, with Destiny Thomas contributing with two blocks. UCF was able to create some breathing room going into halftime leading 29-21 due to Ranke's impressive scoring outburst. Ranke scored 12 points, including 2-3 from three-point range. The redshirt senior guard had her second-highest point total of the season in the first half alone.
The Knights continued to sustain their lead in the third quarter, making three three-pointers in the third and forcing four turnovers.
The fourth quarter was all Knights, leading by as much as 23. UCF shot 42.9 percent from the field and outscored Elon 18 to 11 in the fourth quarter. The Knights hustle helped them outscore Elon 21 to four in second chance points and force a total of 20 turnovers.
Similar to most of the season, the Knights used their defense to fuel their offense to win their second and final game of the Christmas Classic. The defensive intensity that has the Black and Gold holding opponents to 34.9 field goal percentage continued as they held Elon to just 25.4 shooting, their lowest rate of the season. Before today's game, the Knights were holding opponents to just 34.9% shooting, good for 27th in DI Women's Basketball.
The Knights home stand will continue when they host Texas Southern at Addition Financial Arena on Thursday, Dec. 29th at 6 pm.
