TUCSON, Arizona - Behind a dominant performance from third-year Knight Khyala Ngodu, the UCF women’s basketball team went on the road and defeated Arizona, 58-55, to claim its first Big 12 win of the season at the McKale Center on Saturday Afternoon.
In front of over 5,000 Wildcat fans, the Knights (9-7, 1-4) controlled the game from the jump, consistently finding points in the paint as the aforementioned Ngodu and Mahogany Chandler-Roberts combined for 36 points against the Wildcats.
QUICK HITS
HOW IT HAPPENED
A sluggish start in the opening minutes for the Knight on the offensive end was made up for by a strong defensive spirit that persisted throughout the first quarter. After an extensive break at the six-minute mark to fix the clock, the Black and Gold clicked into gear in attack, with Khyala Ngodu returning to the lineup and getting some quick buckets in the paint.
After a disappointing performance below the basket against the Sun Devils on Wednesday, UCF found its stride throughout the first, as post players each got on the board with easy layups. Savannah Scott, a consistent presence off the bench, got her own rebound for a second-chance field goal in the dying minutes, sparking a 7-0 run for the visitors to conclude the first quarter up 15-12.
The Knights continued their momentum into the second period, finding a pair of quick layups courtesy Ngodu and a tough finish from Summer Yancy. A pair of jumpers from Jacorriah Bracey and Leah Harmon followed, extending the UCF lead to six at the media timeout. Out of the break, both teams went cold from the field, scoring a combined six points over the final five minutes, as the Knights sustained a 25-22 lead into halftime.
Ngodu led the charge during the first 20 minutes, scoring eight points on a 3-4 clip from the field. While the hosts shot just 26 percent from the field, costly turnovers from the Knights kept the Wildcats in the game, scoring 11 of the UCF mistakes.
Swift layups from Chandler-Roberts and Ngodu preceded a shooting slump from the Knights in the third quarter, failing to convert a field goal for over seven minutes and in turn, letting the Wildcats reclaim the lead at 38-37.
UCF continued to get to the charity stripe, connecting on 8-12 attempts to stay in the contest, sustaining the offense before Chandler-Roberts and Ngodu each found space in the paint to take a 41-38 lead into the final quarter break.
A high-scoring fourth quarter from both teams stayed consistent, as the Knights looked into the paint, while Arizona continued trying to find scoring from the field. A final layup from the game’s star, Ngodu, put the icing on the road win for the Black and Gold, taking the matchup 58-55.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return home for a two-game homestand at Addition Financial Arena, first welcoming Cincinnati to Orlando for a 7 p.m. tip on Wednesday, January 14.
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.