ORLANDO - The UCF women’s basketball team fell to Arizona 75-53 Saturday afternoon in Addition Financial Arena.
After a difficult first half, the Knights (7-6, 0-3 Big 12) continued to show promising sequences to put pressure on Arizona (11-5, 2-1 in Big 12) throughout the second. However, their opposition continued to find baskets to take the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
In the first, the Wildcats jumped out to an early 10-0 lead following the first media timeout before Nevaeh Brown got the Knights on the board with a clean finish at the rim. UCF’s offense found some rhythm as the first quarter wound down, out-scoring Arizona 8-6 in the final four minutes.
Khyala Ngodu’s presence proved influential in the paint, blocking a Wildcat attempt after converting on a mid-range jump shot at the other end. The opening 10 were capped off by a Kaitlin Peterson three at the buzzer, her first of the day.
Arizona continued to be efficient from the field during the second quarter, fending off any Knights run with consistent looks from all three levels.
UCF’s opposition was lethal from beyond the arc as the first half ended, connecting on four of seven three-point attempts to open up a 43-19 lead. Peterson and Brown led the team in scoring at the break, with six points each.
Similar to the first quarter, it took the Knights some time to find their stride in the first minutes of the second half. A 7-0 scoring run following the media timeout highlighted the squad’s offensive display, with freshman Emely Rodriguez drawing a tough and-one at the rim.
The Black and Gold dominated on the boards, collecting 18 offensive rebounds to Arizona’s eight, though a lack of consistent finishing prevented the Knights from gaining momentum. The Wildcats withheld the pressure behind a rampant full-court press, however periods of scoring droughts in the third quarter saw the Knights cut the deficit into the teens.
An 8-0 run in the final minutes of the third quarter saw UCF put the pieces together on both ends of the floor. Four consecutive Peterson free throws underlined an eight-for-eight mark from the line for the Knights in the third.
UCF garnered its highest point tally in the fourth, scoring 18 as a trio of Knights connected on multiple baskets. Peterson finished the contest with 17 points, marking the sixth game this season she has led the team in points. Brown joined Peterson in double digits with 11 points and led the team with six rebounds.