Women's Hoops Bests Bethune-Cookman in Season Opener, 75-36

ORLANDO - In line with a series of dominant season-openers under fourth-year head coach Sytia Messer, the UCF women's basketball team disposed of Bethune-Cookman, opening its 2025-26 account in style with a 75-36 triumph.

Four Knights posted double-digit performances, highlighting a complete team performance. Miami transfer Leah Harmon led efforts, scoring a career-high 14 points to commence her career in Black and Gold.

QUICK HITS

• The Knights improve to 4-0 in season openers under coach Messer, having outscored opponents a combined 324-175 in a string of brilliant performances.
• UCF also improved to 16-4 all-time over Bethune-Cookman, continuing its Orlando dominance with its 11th win in 12 contests.
• The Black and Gold held the Wildcats to just 35 points, the second-fewest allowed in a game under coach Messer, nearing a 32-point performance from Winthrop in her first game in charge on Nov. 7, 2023.
• Moreover, Bethune-Cookman's 14 first-half points marked the fewest in any half against the Knights since Campbell mustered just 11 second-half points on Dec. 3, 2023.
• Eight Knights making their UCF debut, and all three returners, were able to get points on the board, aiding in the statement first win. The last time eleven different players scored for UCF was last season’s home-opener against Iona on November 5th, 2024.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Knights came out firing, setting the tone early with a 15-5 first-quarter lead, showing strengths across the board. A 9-0 scoring run midway through the quarter helped the Black and Gold establish control and build a double-digit advantage, with returning sophomore Summer Yance leading the charge with a quartet of points.

It was more of the same UCF dominance on both sides of the ball to start the second period. The Knights continued their power statement by going on yet another high-scoring run, more than doubling their first-period lead with 13 consecutive points out of the break.

Forcing 14 first-half turnovers from the Wildcats, the Black and Gold turned the opportunities into points, netting 21 off Bethune-Cookman mistakes to complement 22 points in the paint. Heading into the locker room, UCF held a commanding 35-14 advantage.

The Wildcats attempted to rally in the third, but continued to be outscored to start the second half. The Black and Gold soon regained its rhythm after a slow offensive start to the half, with Auburn transfer Savannah Scott establishing her presence with six points in the third.

 Strong bench play and forceful rebounding from Ngodu and Chandler-Roberts helped restore momentum, as the Knights grew their lead to 55-27 before the final quarter.

UCF showed no signs of slowing down in the fourth and final period. As more Knights hit the court in their UCF debut, more points kept coming. Seven more from Harmon, which was enough to surpass her career high of 11, continued the emphatic outing from the Black and Gold.

UP NEXT

The Knights will continue their five-game homestand on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 pm against Charlotte at Addition Financial Arena. 

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.