UCF got off to a slow start in the first quarter going back and forth with the Gaels. Iona took the lead with five minutes left, 7-6. Back-to-back free throws from Emely Rodriguez ignited the Knights with a 6-0 run to end the quarter with a one-point edge, 12-11.
The Black and Gold settled in during the second quarter as Nevaeh Brown scored in the paint to spark a 16-0 run from the Knights as they headed into halftime with a 20-point lead, 38-18. The Knights went 10-19 from the field, pouring on 26 points and limiting the Gaels to just seven points in the second.
Coming out of the locker room, the Black and Gold continued to put the pressure on the Gaels as they kept ahold of their double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game scoring a total of 38 points in the second half and forcing 12 turnovers.
The Knights utilized their bench which accounted for 28 points and took advantage of the Iona’s 25 turnovers, scoring 33 points.
The Knights outrebounded the Gaels 53-29. Kaitlin Peterson led the Black and Gold with 22 points, marking her 14th 20-plus point game and tallied five steals. Rodriguez tallied 13 points in her collegiate debut. Donning the Black and Gold for the first time, Hannah Gusters recorded her first double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Achol Akot snagged 13 rebounds which marks the most by any player nationally in the young season.
Nine Knights recorded their UCF debut including Lucie Castagne, Mahogany Chandler-Roberts, Summer Yancy, Adeang Ring, Arek Angui, Gusters, Brown and Stedman.
The win marked the Black and Gold's seventh consecutive victory in a season opener.
The Knights have a quick turnaround as they host Marquette Thursday, November 7 with tipoff slated for 7 p.m.
