Messer Secures 100th Career Win in 78-56 Triumph Over Morgan State

ORLANDO - It was all Black and Gold in UCF women’s hoops’ non-conference final, with the Knights controlling their Sunday tilt with Morgan State from the jump, taking the contest 78-56 to close the first half of their campaign.

The triumph marked head coach Sytia Messer’s 100th career win, a historic milestone that puts her in an elite club of coaches in triple digits. Consistent faces paced the Knights throughout, as Leah Harmon and Khyala Ngodu each tallied 17 on efficient shooting clips.

QUICK HITS

• The Knights matched their season high with 52 points in the paint, with the post players leading the charge with 41. UCF has surpassed 50 below the bucket in three contests this season, outscoring opponents 434-276 (+158).
• UCF’s bench continues to shine, as one of the deepest teams in the Big 12 registered 28 in the win, marking the sixth game the Knights have eclipsed 25 points. With 11 games down, the Knights’ bench is currently averaging 28.4 points, the second-most in a single season in program history (2002-03, 31.0).
• Harmon concluded her historic non-conference slate with yet another 17-point performance on 7-11 shooting. The sophomore becomes just the second player in program history to tally five or more field goals in each non-conference contest, while ranking tied for sixth in averaging scoring (16.9).
• Ngodu’s 17 points marked the third-most this season, while her team-leading eight rebounds left her just two shy of her second double-double of the season
• Jasmynne Gibson set a season-high with 14 points on a 6-7 clip from the field, while also leading the Knights with a career-high six steals

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first five minutes of action saw Ngodu outscore the Bear, 8-6, establishing her presence in the paint with four early layups courtesy of some nice ball movement from the Knights. A 6-0 run from the visitors out of the media timeout garnered them their first and only lead of the game, as Leah Harmon connected on a three before Jacorriah Bracey ran coast-to-coast for a fast break layup to back the lead.

An efficient 60% clip from the field in the opening period and a 13-0 run over the final four minutes put the Black and Gold in a comfortable 11-point advantage. With 16 of the Knights’ 21 points coming in the paint, UCF set the tone for its physical standing throughout the contest.

Jasmynne Gibson took over in the second quarter, scoring the first six points for the Knights, each under the basket. Her first of the period came from a gritty offensive board, before seconds later intercepting a Morgan State inbound pass to add another. UCF’s defense forced multiple Morgan State turnovers, converting them into points on the other end.

The Knights found success at the charity stripe after consistently driving the ball down low, converting seven of nine attempts in the second quarter to push their lead to 19 heading into the break.

A mild start to the second half of action opened the door for the Bears to find some offensive rhythm, downing a pair of three pointers to capitalize on multiple UCF turnovers. A media timeout reset turned into two quick layups from Gibson and Harmon, continuing the fast-paced approach that had been a theme of the first half.

Harmon found her stride down the stretch to keep the Black and Gold advantage to 18, scoring six points to eclipse double digits for the 11th consecutive game to open her UCF account. While the Bears put up a good fight in the final 20 minutes, the Knights sustained consistent scoring, with 28 from the bench bolstering the starting five en route to the 78-56 win.

UP NEXT

The Knights will rest up before welcoming BYU for their Big 12 opener next Saturday, December 20, at 2 p.m.

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.