SAN JUAN, P.R. - In its third and final game of the Discover Puerto Rico Classic, the UCF women’s basketball (6-0) team defeated Sacred Heart (3-2), 69-58, to continue its undefeated season.
Guard Kaitlin Peterson set a new career-high with 32 points on 11-18 shooting to lead the Knights. Freshman Achol Akot collected her first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Knights shot 53 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc in the win.
Peterson came out firing in the first quarter, scoring 11 of the Knights 15 points. UCF held Sacred Heart to just 20 percent from the field while the Black and Gold connected on 42.9 percent of their shots. Jayla Kelly contributed with two blocked shots in the quarter. Despite the difference in field goal percentage, the Pioneers were able to keep it close by forcing the Knights into four turnovers.
Peterson continued her hot start going into the second quarter, connecting on two threes to increase the Knight's lead, 23-15. The Eufaula, Alabama native added an additional 12 points to bring her total in the first half to 23, marking the second time this season she has scored 20-plus points in a half.
Coming out of halftime, UCF’s seven-point lead was cut to three. As a result of a shooting and technical foul, the Pioneers made four straight free throws to take a 41-39 lead. With the Knights now down, Akot made a stellar block leading to Sierra Godbolt's drive to find a cutting Akot for two, tying the game at 41-41. Akot scored eight points on 100 percent shooting while adding six rebounds in the third. The Knights closed the quarter on an 8-1 run to take the lead into the final period with some breathing room, 55-46.
UCF closed out the contest by outscoring the Pioneers 14-12 in the fourth quarter. The Black and Gold ran away with it, shooting a blistering 60 percent they built their lead to as much as 13.
The Knights will head back to the States and have a week break before they host Campbel on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.