Women's Hoops Falls Short Against Charlotte in Orlando, 66-64

ORLANDO - In its second game of the 2025-26 campaign, the UCF women’s basketball team fell short Sunday afternoon against Charlotte, 66-64, at Addition Financial Arena.

A difficult second quarter left the Knights with ground to make up in the final half, eventually holding the visitors to just 27 percent shooting across the last two quarters. However, UCF missed key free throws down the stretch, which ultimately handed the Knights their first defeat of the season. The contest was a nail-biter from start to finish, with four Knights adding three-point field goals to their records and two topping career highs. 

QUICK HITS

• Leah Harmon led the Knights in scoring once again, tallying 17 points to surpass her career high of 14 set on opening night. Harmon also beat her career highs of three-point field goals made (3) and assists (5) during this matchup.
• Mahogany Chandler-Roberts set a career high with nine points this afternoon, also adding an impressive six boards.
• Auburn transfer Savannah Scott has remained perfect from the field through two contests, connecting on all four shots today after going three-for-three against Bethune-Cookman.
• Just two points kept the Black and Gold from a victory, the closest final score UCF has seen since their March 2, 2024, loss at Houston (68-67). 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Knights started strong in the first quarter, gaining a 19-13 lead in the first ten minutes. A 9-0 run, paired with three early turnovers from Charlotte, propelled the hosts into an early advantage. 

Seven total turnovers from the 49ers and seven points by sophomore Leah Harmon highlighted the offensive efforts of both squads. Second-year Mahogany Chandler-Roberts set the tone on the defensive end, a trend that would continue throughout the contest.

The second quarter proved more difficult for the Knights as Charlotte started fast with a 6-0 scoring run, tying the game and forcing UCF into their first timeout. The Black and Gold spent over seven minutes scoreless, missing eight shots and falling into a nine-point deficit halfway through the quarter. 

Junior Khyala Ngodou broke the spell with a jumpshot and proceeded to steal the ball from the 49ers just seconds later, allowing teammate Samari Bankhead to score another two on a fast break. The Knights tried to bring the energy back after a Charlotte turnover with just two minutes remaining, but ultimately ended the half at a 36-26 deficit.

After the break, the Knights took charge once again, coming out hot with an 8-2 scoring run to start the third period. A layup from Chandler-Roberts pushed her to nine points in the game, surpassing her career high of eight. 

Harmon had an impressive shooting display during the latter half of the quarter, connecting on two threes and also topping her career highs of points (17) and three-point field goals made (three). Ultimately, UCF’s defense cut the visitors' lead to just five (53-48), leaving an opportunity for the Knights to continue their strong run of form in the final period.

Fourth-quarter play started off slow, with no points scored on either side in the first two minutes. The Knights recovered their energy during an intense back half of the quarter, with Summer Yancy scoring five points in less than a minute of play, while a three from Bankhead in the final 25 seconds made the game a one-point contest. 

Following a few rounds of back-and-forth attempts from the charity stripe, Harmon turned a rebound into a strong layup in the paint to tie the score. With the game trending towards overtime, the 49ers were able to get to the free throw line once again, sinking a pair of shots to put the bout to rest, 66-64.

UP NEXT

The Knights will continue their five-game homestand this Tuesday, taking on the FIU Panthers at 11 am 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.