FORT WORTH, Texas – A 29-point fourth quarter push came up short as UCF fought until the end against No. 10 TCU, 90-81, inside the Schollmaier Arena Tuesday evening.
UCF (7-9, 0-6 Big 12) led the night with seven steals while TCU (18-1, 6-0) edged the Knights in rebounds 34-32 and racked up 29 assists.
As both teams traded baskets, the Knights stayed pace with the Horned Frogs until TCU went on a 13-0 run to take the lead. Kaitlyn Peterson broke up the scoring run with a three-pointer with three minutes left in the quarter. TCU continued to score to keep the lead, 30-19, at the end of the first. Peterson led with 11 points while the Knights handled the ball well, committing just one turnover.
Both teams were scoreless from the field until 7:10 when Peterson came up with a steal to take it downcourt for a layup. The Knights put the pressure on from the three limiting the Horned Frogs to just an 18% clip compared to 66% in the first. The Horned Frogs headed into the locker room with a 15-point lead, 47-32.
TCU got off to an early start with a three-pointer. Peterson was lights out from the free-throw line going 3-3 in the third. With 1:18 left, Peterson hit both her free throws to ignite the Knights on a scoring run with back-to-back steals followed by a layup and an and one to put the Knights within 15. TCU cruised into the fourth with the lead, 67-52.
Emely Rodriguez continued to stay hot with an early jumper. TCU continued its scoring ways until the Knights rallied together for as Lucie Castagne hit a three-pointer to help the Black and Gold chip away at the Horned Frogs lead. With 36 seconds left in the game, UCF cut the lead to single digits and continued to fire away as Peterson made a three from a turnover to get within six. Even though UCF outscored TCU 29-23, the Horned Frogs came away with the victory, 90-81.
A trio of Knights scored in double digits with Peterson leading the pack with 33 points and five steals. Rodriguez and Achol Akot joined Peterson in double digits with 16 and 12, respectively.