LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The UCF women’s basketball team fell to Montana State 76-68 in the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic on Friday afternoon in the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Knights (6-2) got off to a slow start as the Bobcats (6-1) got out to a 13-0 lead. After four minutes of play, Hannah Gusters put the Black and Gold on the board with a layup. Montana State continued to fire on all cylinders ending the first with a 16-point advantage, 26-10.
A second-chance jumper from Emely Rodriguez sparked the Knights into an 8-0 run to start the second and cut the Bobcats’ lead to eight, 26-18. Montana State made two free throws just before the half to improve its lead to 46-32.
The Knights pushed to catch the Bobcats’ lead with a 7-0 run to close the gap, 53-46 with two and a half minutes left in the third. Although Montana State continued to hold onto its lead, 61-48 to end the third quarter.
UCF worked to take the lead going on a 12-0 run to shorten the distance to five points following two free throws made from Gusters, 65-60. With just 1:24 left in the game, a fast break layup from Rodriguez put the Knights within four, 68-64. The Knights went 6-6 from the field in the final waning minutes of the game but fell short against the Bobcats, 76-68.
Kaitlin Peterson led the Knights with 21 points, going 4-6 from the free-throw line. For the sixth consecutive game, Gusters recorded double digits in scoring with 19 points along with 10 rebounds to mark her fifth double-double of the season. Rodriguez joined Peterson and Gusters with 12 points and 12 rebounds, snagging her first double-double. Khyala Ngodu chipped in even rebounds while Achol Akot tallied six.
No dice for the Knights in Vegas as they wrapped up the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic 0-2.
UCF heads to Texas for a matchup against Texas Southern Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m.