On Island Time
The Knights are set to compete in the 2025 Discover Puerto Rico Shootout for the first time since 2023. Two years ago in San Juan, the Black and Gold dominated the field, claiming all three contests and the crown by 33 combined points, defeating Jackson State (63-54), St. John's (61-48) and Sacred Heart (69-58). Under coach Messer, the Knights are 7-2 in mid-season tournaments/invitationals, boasting a 4-0 record in 2022, joining a 3-0 clip in 2023, before dropping a pair of contests in Las Vegas a season ago. All-time, the Knights are 83-82 in mid-season invitationals and tournaments. This weekend will mark the third time the Black and Gold have competed in the San Juan Shootout, with the aforementioned 2023 trip preceded by a 2-1 mark back in 2001, with wins against Colgate and Kansas.
Mid-Season Tournaments/Invitationals Under Coach Messer
- 2022: UCF Thanksgiving Classic (2-0, def. Samford and SEMO) | UCF Christmas Classic (2-0, def. Idaho State and Elon)
- 2023: Discover Puerto Rico Shootout (3-0, def. Jackson State, St. John's and Sacred Heart)
- 2024: UNLV Thanksgiving Classic (0-2, defeated by UNLV and Montana State)
All Bark, No Bite
UCf dominated South Carolina State in the finale of season-opening five-game homestanding, defeating the Bulldogs 94-49, marking the largest margin of victory under head coach Sytia Messer (+45). The win was the largest since coach Messer's first game in charge against Winthrop on Nov. 7, 2022 (72-32), moreover, UCF's 54 second-half points were the most since tallying 63 vs. Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 6, 2023.
Everybody Eats
Before the season, coach Messer talked about her excitement about the depth of the squad, with all 14 players having the ability to make an impact. Through four games, that sentiment rings true, as the Knights currently rank third in the Big 12 and 42nd in the NCAA with 30.0 points per game off the bench. Against the Rattlers, the UCF bench tallied 41 of its 76 points, preceding 49 points off the bench against South Carolina State, which ranks as the third most in a single game in program history and the most since scoring 51 off the bench against Mercer on 1/20/03. Through five games this season, the Knights' bench is outscoring its opposition's 169-96 (+73).
Harmon's Hot Start
Miami transfer and sophomore guard Leah Harmon has been dominant through her first five games, leading the Knights in scoring with a combined 78 points, setting career marks vs. Charlotte and South Carolina State (17 pts.). Harmon's 78 points through her first five contests at UCF are the second most by a transfer this decade and the third most by any Knight in the first two games of a season since 2015. The sophomore has connected on five field goals in each of her first five games, with half of her 25 coming from beyond the arch. Harmon currently ranks 14th in the Big 12 with 15.3 points per game. 52 of Harmon's 78 points have come in the first half (67%).
Buckets on Buckets
The Knights produced a historic shooting clip against Florida A&M in their convincing 76-59 triumph on Nov. 21, connecting on 55.1% of field goal attempts, a mark that ranks 11th in program history and the best percentage under head coach Sytia Messer. The performance was the best shooting performance since a March 2, 2020, contest with Wichita State (56.1). UCF's previous best under Messer came in a Dec. 19, 2023 triumph over Morgan State (54.8).
Sunshine State Dominance
The Knights have won seven straight games against in-state opponents, commencing the season with a perfect 3-0 record to match their 2024-25 tally. Wins over Bethune-Cookman, FIU and Florida A&M continue the trend of success against in-state foes, as coach Messer boasts a 7-3 record, with the last defeat coming back in December 2023. Across their last six contests with Florida opposition, the Knights have outscored them a combined 484-322 (+162), scoring 75-plus in each game. UCF will conclude its Sunshine State slate against Stetson on Dec. 3 in Orlando.
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 host's 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).
