HOW IT HAPPENED
A stalemate opened action on Wednesday night, with both sides taking a combined five possessions to tally the first points. While the Knights went 0-5 in the early stages, three straight field goals from Mahogany Chandler-Roberts and Jacorriah Bracey kept them within striking distance.
The fast-paced quarter saw over nine minutes of non-stop action, with both teams finding success from beyond the arc. UCF downed multiple jumpers before the Red Raiders scored at the buzzer to take a 21-13 lead into the break.
Each side exchanged baskets as the second 10 minutes commenced. The Black and Gold pulled within six points after a pair of Chandler-Roberts free throws, though the hosts responded with a 9-0 run to break open a 15-point lead. While Khyala Ngodu found her place in the paint down the stretch, Texas Tech’s prowess from beyond the arc kept the Knights at a distance.
The turnover margin was a driving factor in the Red Raiders’ 42-28 lead at the half, scoring nine points from eight UCF errors while only giving up one of their own.
While the visitors started the second half with pace down the floor and gritty defense, holding Texas Tech to two of its first nine attempts, it remained difficult to establish offensive rhythm. After the Red Raiders got to the line and hit multiple free throws, their advantage remained at 16 with just under three minutes to play in the second.
Success at the charity strip and a Harmon three-pointer at the tail end pulled the Knights within 11, before a Red Raider free throw to conclude the period grew it back to 12.
While in striking distance to cut the deficit to single digits, Texas Tech took control to open the fourth quarter, authoring a 12-2 run to dim the Knights’ chance of crawling back in.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return home on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff with Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.
