HOUSTON — The UCF women's basketball team dropped an 80-42 decision to Houston on Tuesday evening in the Fertitta Center.
The Knights (9-6, 0-3 AAC) started off slow with a scoring drought for the first two minutes of play, while the Cougars (6-10, 3-0 AAC) took advantage to go on a 10-0 spurt. UCF cut the first-quarter deficit to seven at 18-11 after a layup from Bryana Hardy, but Houston closed out the opening period on a 7-2 run to lead 28-13.
Houston went on to take a 45-21 edge into halftime and led 70-35 heading into the fourth quarter. The Knights scored 10 points in the fourth quarter for the final tally of 80-42.
Hardy pulled down a season-best 10 rebounds adding nine points to lead the Knights. Rachel Ranke and Sierra Godbolt each finished with seven points, while Kiera Brown and Ranke each snagged six rebounds.
UCF returns to Orlando for its next two games, as the Knights welcome Wichita State to Addition Financial Arena on Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. in their next outing.