ORLANDO – The UCF women's basketball team continues its conference road swing as they head to Memphis for a matchup on Saturday afternoon in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The Knights (11-10, 2-7 AAC) and the Tigers (13-9, 5-4 AAC) game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
A UCF WIN WOULD...
• Improve the overall record vs. Memphis to 16-15
• Be UCF's third American Athletic Conference win this season
• Improve the Knights to 12-10 on the season
• Give Sytia Messer her 12th win as head coach for the Knights and 66th of her career
• Be better than a loss
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall: Tied 15-15
In Memphis: Memphis leads 8-7
In Orlando: UCF leads 8-7
Neutral Site: n/a
Last meeting: W, 71-57 (2/5/22)
Streak: UCF won 6
LAST TIME OUT
The Knights overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter in their last outing against Cincinnati on Wednesday. Rachel Ranke's long-distance shooting helped led the Knights to a season-high percentage of .500 in the 60-57 triumph. Ranke led with 16 points going 4-6 from behind the arc. Laila Jewett and Sierra Godbolt each recorded 10 points and two rebounds.
SCOUTING MEMPHIS
The Tigers are 13-9 overall with a 5-4 mark in league play heading into the game on Saturday. Memphis comes into the matchup after a 70-60 victory at Wichita State in its most recent outing on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Two members of Memphis' squad average double figures, led by Jamirah Shutes' 15.0 points per game. Madison Griggs averages 12.7 points per game and leads the Tigers with 60 three-pointers. Hannah Riddick leads Memphis in rebounds with 140 (6.4 per game).
Saturday marks the 31st overall matchup between the Knights and Tigers. The all-time series is tied 15-15, with Memphis holding an 8-7 advantage in Memphis.
LAST TIME VERSUS MEMPHIS
UCF came out slow, allowing Memphis to take a 7-0 lead but the Knights answered back with a 9-0 run to take the lead in the last meeting against Memphis on Feb. 5, 2022, as the Knights scored 21 points both the third and fourth quarter take the 71-57 victory over Memphis.
Destiny Thomas recorded three rebounds and one block as the lone player still apart of UCF women's basketball team that played in that game.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Black and Gold are ranked in the top 50 in three statistical categories including No. 7 in offensive rebounds per game with 16.3 and 14th in rebounds per game (43.00). UCF leads the AAC in both categories. The Knights are ranked 32nd in free throw attempts per game with 20.81.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DESTINY
Individually, Thomas is third in the nation for offensive rebounds per game (5.0) and 17th in rebounds per game (10.4). Thomas has recorded 10 double-doubles this season and ranks 32nd in the country. Her program-record tying 24 rebounds against Seton Hall are the second most by an NCAA DI player this season behind Angel Reese from LSU (28). In the AAC, she is one of two players averaging a double-double along with South Florida's Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu. Thomas recorded a career-high 24 points on Jan. 15 against Wichita State.
CAPITALIZING ON THE FREEBIES
Headlined by a season-high 23 free throws made against Idaho State (12/20) and 28 attempts against Tulsa (1/7) and Auburn (12/3), the Knights are third in the conference with 14.19 free-throws made per game. UCF is third in the conference for free-throw attempts per game with 20.81.
Taylor Gibson leads the Black and Gold with a .795 free-throw percentage (35-44). Gibson has been perfect from the free-throw line in six games this season.
JEWETT'S GEM
Jewett recorded a career-high 34 points in UCF's 79-74 double overtime victory against Samford in on Nov. 26. Jewett's 34 points came via impressive 56 percent shooting from the field (9-16), including five made triples on nine tries from beyond the arc. That total is tied with South Florida's Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu for the most points by any player in the AAC this season.
60 = MAGIC NUMBER
The Black and Gold are 8-0 when limiting their opponent to 60 points or less. UCF led the season off by limiting its first three opponents to 60 points or less. In the most recent win against Cincinnati, UCF kept the Bearcats to 57 points. The 57 points against Cincinnati is second for the lowest points against a conference opponent, as the Knights held Wichita State to 56 on Jan. 15.
OFF THE GLASS
Showcased by a season-high 50 rebounds against SEMO (11/27), Elon (12/21) and Texas Southern (12/29), the Knights have outrebounded their opponent by more than 98 total boards. UCF is 9-5 when they outrebound its opponent. Prior to starting AAC play, the Knights were 9-0 this season when they outrebounded their opponent.
STEALIN' AND DEALIN'
Sierra Godbolt leads the Knights in both steals (40) and assists (65). Godbolt, a freshman, is making her mark in the AAC rankings standing at No. 9 in steals per game (1.90).
RECORD WATCH
Destiny Thomas has recorded 83 blocks in her career to make it into the Top 10 at No. 9 in most blocks with No. 1 being Ali Roberts with 215. The senior forward also leaped right into the Top 10 for most rebounds with 620 landing right at No. 10 with the No. 1 spot being held by Tamika Cooley (1,211).
