Women’s Hoops Dominates South Carolina State 94-49 in Third Consecutive Triumph

ORLANDO - In the Knights’ first-ever meeting against South Carolina State, UCF snagged its third consecutive win in a dominant 45-point victory Monday night at Addition Financial Arena, 94-49. 

Outstanding defense, stellar shooting, both from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe, led the Knights (4-1) to their largest win margin under head coach Sytia Messer. Led by Leah Harmon’s 17 points and Savannah Scott’s 13 points, UCF finished the day 54% from the field, 47% from downtown, and 79% from the free-throw line. The defense held the Bulldogs (2-5) to 28% from the field and 16% from beyond the arc, including a 1-25 shooting stretch in the first half.

QUICK HITS

• UCF won by 40-plus points for the first time since beating Winthrop 72-32 in Messer’s first game in charge on Nov. 7, 2022.
• The Knights held South Carolina State to 6-35 (17%) from the field, marking a program low in opponent field goal percentage in a half.
• Harmon has scored 52 of her 78 points during the first halves of her first five games. Alongside Harmon’s elite scoring, she has nailed two or more three-pointers and five field goals in each of her first five games with the Knights.
• Free throws were a focal point of the game, as UCF knocked down 31 of its 39 free throws (79%) in the contest. This marks the most free throws made by the Knights in a game since Jan. 27, 2024, vs Houston (33).
• UCF picked up right where they left off last game, knocking down 50-plus percent of their field goals in back-to-back games.
• UCF’s 49 bench points put this performance as tied for the third most bench points in a single game in program history.
• UCF’s 54 points in the second half mark the first time the Knights scored 50+ in the second half since 63 vs Bethune-Cookman Nov. 6, 2023.

HOW IT HAPPENED

An early Harmon three-pointer, her 11th of the season, preceded a rather stagnant opening five minutes from each side. With 41 points courtesy of the bench last time out, Scott found space in the paint for a pair of early field goals to set the physical tone. 

After a layup in the first period by South Carolina State sparked a 7-0 run with 7:27  remaining, the Knights stonewalled the Bulldogs' offense, holding them to one of their last 15 field goal attempts made to close out the first period. Led by Harmon’s eight points and Scott’s seven, the Knights pulled ahead with a 19-11 lead. 

Continuing the dominant defense in the second period, the Knights held South Carolina State scoreless for the first 7:15, scoring 12 points during the Bulldogs’ drought. UCF held the Bulldogs to a staggering 3-18 from the field, extending the lead to 40-19 to close out the first half.

The Knights started the first 5:55 of the third period on fire, shooting 7-7 from the field and 9-10 from the charity stripe. The Knights finished the period scoring a total of 32 points, marking the most points scored in a period this season. 

UCF finishes the game shooting 8-13 from the field in the fourth to continue the Knights’ impressive shooting night and seal a 45-point victory in the process, holding the Bulldogs to under 50 points in the game, 94-49.

UP NEXT

With the five-game season-opening homestand complete, the Knights will embark on the 2025 Discover Puerto Rico Shootout from November 26-28 in San Juan, with meetings against East Carolina, Wake Forest and Rice highlighting the week.

SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

UCF women's basketball single-match and season tickets are on sale now. Be sure to catch all the action at Addition Financial Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.

ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS

UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.