67... And Many More
In the program's annual kids day game, a strong second-half performance from the Knights propelled them past FIU, 79-61, the most points scored by UCF in the young season. The hosts' success was in large part due to their success from the free throw line, connecting on 18 of 20 attempts, breaking the program record for single-game free throw percentage with at least 20 attempts (90%). Previous high came on Jan. 13, 2011, against UAB (0.899, 24-27).
Harmon's Hot Start
Miami transfer and sophomore guard Leah Harmon has been dominant through her first two games, leading the Knights in scoring with a combined 46 points, setting career marks vs. Bethune-Cookman (14 pts.), then Charlotte (17 pts.). Harmon's 46 points through her first three contests at UCF are the second most by a transfer this decade and the fourth most by any Knight in the first two games of a season since 2015.
Sunshine State Dominance
The Knights have won six straight games against in-state opponents, going a perfect 3-0 a season ago after splitting a pair of contests in 2023-24. This season, the Knights are 2-0 with wins over Bethune-Cookman and FIU, and will play two more Sunshine State foes, the most in a campaign under Messer and the most overall since the 2015-16 season when UCF played six.
- Opening Knight Success
Head coach Sytia Messer improved to 4-0 in season openers with the Knights as her squad dominated Bethune-Cookman 75-36 in front of 6,000-plus at Addition Financial Arena... The 39-point win margin also stands as the second-largest victory under Messer, sitting just a point away from the 40-point win against Winthrop (72-32)... All-time the Knights are 26-23 in season openers and 35-14 in home openers... In the four contests, UCF has outscored its opponents 324-175 in season-opening contests
Season-openers under coach Messer:
- Nov. 3, 2025 vs. Bethune-Cookman | W, 75-36 (+39)
- Nov. 5, 2024 vs. Iona | W, 76-44 (+32)
- Nov. 6, 2023 vs. Bethune-Cookman | W, 101-63 (+38)
- Nov. 7, 2022 vs. Winthrop | W, 72-32 (+40)
Brace Yourself
Fifth year transfer Jacorriah Bracey trails just behind fellow first-year Knight Leah Harmon, as Bracey paced the Knights with 17 points against FIU on Nov. 20, the 12th game in her career with 15-plus points.. Her 34 points through her first three games are the third most by a transfer in the last decade and the 11th most by any Knight. Bracey has also been a force on the defensive end, currently ranking third on the team with four boards per game.
Tamed the Wildcats
The Wildcats mustered just 36 points, the second-fewest points the Knights have allowed in the Messer era, and four off the 32 points Winthrop scored in Messer's first game in charge on November 7, 2022. Moreover, Bethune-Cookman's 14 first-half points were the fewest in any half allowed since the Knights held Campbell to 11 second-half points on Dec. 3, 2023. The Wildcats failed to score in double digits over the first two quarters, adding just 10 in the third and 12th in the fourth.
Home Court Advantage
Head coach Sytia Messer has found consistent success at Addition Financial Arena since her first season in 2022-23. The Knights have boasted a combined 30-21 record in home contests over the past four years. During her first slate with the Black and Gold, the Knights went 11-5 at home, before an 8-8 record in 2023-24 and a 9-7 record in 2024-25. UCF is 2-1 through three home contests in 2025-26 with wins over Bethune-Cookman and FIU.
Sweet November
Always striving to open the season on the front foot, coach Messer and the Knights have compiled an 18-3 record in the month of November, including a pair of undefeated marks throughout her first two seasons. A 6-2 record last year was highlighted by six straight to open the season, all at home, before falling in a pair of contests in Las Vegas, which stand as the lone defeats in November under Messer. This season, the Knights are 2-1 through three of their eight games in the month, including five consecutive to open the season before venturing to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout from Nov. 26-28.
