STILLWATER, Okla. – It was another tough road battle for UCF women’s basketball as the Knights dropped a 67-54 decision to Oklahoma State Wednesday night in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
UCF (12-13, 3-12 Big 12) once again outrebounded Oklahoma State (13-13, 6-9) 36-29. Meanwhile, the Cowgirls dished out 20 assists compared to the Knights' six.
Kaitlin Peterson continued to be the leader for the Knights with 21 points to surpass 500 points this season, marking the first time since the 2019-20 season when Kay Kay Wright scored 506 points. The Eufaula, Alabama, native went 6-6 from the free-throw line.
Khyala Ngodu and Laila Jewett joined Peterson in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Ngodu swiped a career-high four steals on the night. Mya Burns led the team in rebounds with eight.
Ngodu started the Knights off with back-to-back buckets as the Knights and Cowgirls traded points back and forth. Ngodu made a layup at 4:26 to spark a 6-0 spurt to give the Knights a two-point edge following a three-point play from Jewett, 13-11. UCF and OSU traded points through the remainder of the first as the Cowgirls ended the opening frame with a one-point advantage, 18-17. Peterson and Ngodu each led with six points.
The Cowgirls continued to hold the lead throughout the second quarter. Three-pointers from Jewett and Peterson helped the Knights get within three points but an 8-2 push from the Cowgirls gave them a 10-point lead heading into the half, 37-27.
UCF struggled coming out of the half with a scoring drought combined with three turnovers. The Knights picked up the pace and chipped away at the Cowgirls’ lead with a 7-0 scoring run to wrap up the third as Peterson tallied her 500th point of the season with a layup at 2:19 and Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu hit a three to get within 17, 53-36.
The Black and Gold got off to a quick start in the fourth as Peterson made a fastbreak layup and Asia Todd hit a three-pointer to get within 12 points of the Cowgirls’ lead. OSU continued to hold onto the lead and paced its way through the remainder of the game to earn the season sweep over the Knights, 67-54.
The Knights return to Orlando for a two-game homestand, hosting No. 5 Texas on Saturday for a noon tip and Kansas on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. start. Both contests will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Knights will honor their seniors Wednesday against Kansas before the game.