Non-Conference Rundown
The Knights posted an 8-3 record in head coach Sytia Messer's fourth non-conference slate with the Knights. The win marked Messer's 100th career win across seven seasons and two schools, joining the century club in a dominating 78-56 triumph over Morgan State. Messer has tallied eight or more non-conference wins in each season at UCF. The Black and Gold outscored their opponents 799-625 (+174), winning four contests by 20+ points, while all three defeats came by a combined 10 points.
Paint Production
UCF has been dominant in the paint through non-conference play, outscoring its opposition 460-316 (+144) below the basket. The Knights have tallied two 52-point outings and five 40-plus-point performances in the paint, winning the matchup nine of 12 contests. UCF's post players are averaging nearly 30 points a game, with Khyala Ngodu leading the charge with 11.0 points per game.
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 12 games, that sentiment rings true, as the Knights currently rank fourth in the Big 12 and 45th in the NCAA with 27.4 points per game off the bench. Against South Carolina State on Nov. 24, UCF scored 49 points from the bench, tied for the third most bench points in a single game in program history. In non-conference action, the Black and Gold's bench outscored their opponents bench 312-181 (+131), reaching 20-plus in nine contests and 30-plus in five games.
Tales from Puerto Rico
The Knights went 2-1 across three competitive games at the 2025 Discover Puerto Rico Classic, defeating East Carolina 75-61 to open action. UCF scored 52 points in the paint to fend off the Pirates, marking the first time the Knights have reached that total since Dec. 7, 2024 against Texas Southern. Against Wake Forest, the Knights ventured to their fourth overtime contest under coach Messer, eventually falling by five despite grabbing a season-high 20 offensive boards and 17 second-chance points. In the finale against Rice, the Black and Gold held on for their 700th win in program history, with Harmon's 27 points leading them to their sixth victory of the season.
Leah Named to Big 12 Starting Five
Fresh off yet another career week, which saw Leah Harmon score 78 points across four games, the sophomore has been named to the Big 12 Starting Five as a top performer, becoming the third Knight to secure a weekly honor since joining the conference. Averaging 19.5 points as the Black and Gold went 3-1, including a 2-1 record at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout in San Juan, Harmon has broken records throughout her opening eight games of the season. Across the four games, Harmon never scored below 17 points, matching that total in three contests before setting a career high with 27 points in a 57-56 win over Rice. The Miami transfer’s 27 points were the sixth-most in a UCF neutral site game in program history, while her 10 free throws made her just the 16th Knight since 1999 to reach double digits. Harmon has tallied five or more field goals in her first eight games of the season, becoming the first player to do so to open their Black and Gold career. A true three-level scorer, Harmon connected on multiple three-pointers in each game, including three in her final two contests of the week.
Harmon's Hot Start
Miami transfer and sophomore guard Leah Harmon has been dominant through her first 12 games, leading the Knights in scoring with 16.9 points per game, setting a career high with 27 points against Rice. Harmon's 202 points through her first 12 contests at UCF are the second most by a transfer this decade and the second most by any Knight in the first 12 games of a season since 2015. The sophomore has connected on five field goals in each of her first 12 games, while shooting 43.1 from beyond the arc. Harmon currently ranks eighth in the Big 12 with 16.8 points per game. Points average in a non-conference slate since 1999:
