Women's Hoops Set for Fourth Annual Space Game, Welcomes Colorado for Sunday Tilt

ORLANDO - The 'Nauts are set for launch.

In the program's fourth annual Space Game, the UCF women's basketball team will welcome Colorado to Addition Financial for a Sunday matchup at 2 p.m. With a new Canaveral blue uniform, UCF will look to bounce back at home after a difficult overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

Leah Harmon's 29 points, her third game this season with 25 or more, along with Khyala Ngodu's second-consecutive double-double, led the way for the hosts.

• Opponent: Colorado Buffaloes
• Date: Sunday, January 18
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Venue: Addition Financial Arena
• Time: 2 p.m.
• On the Call: Scott Adams (PxP), BJ Adams (Analyst), and Danielle Strong (Sideline)
• Promo: Space Game

SpaceU Facts and Stats

The fourth addition of the annual Space Game will see UCF women's basketball don a new Canaveral blue uniform as it welcomes Colorado to Orlando to honor the university's rich history with the United States Space Program.

FACTS AND STATS
Founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University, with the mission of providing personnel to support the growing U.S. space program at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

• Ranked the No. 1 provider of aerospace and defense talent in the nation
  UCF houses 65 students - undergraduate and graduate - working on Professor Kareem Ahmed's research team at the Center of Excellence in Hypersonics and Space Propulsion.
• There are 35+ space-related degrees at UCF, America's Space University
• UCF faculty and students have worked on more than 700 NASA projects since UCF's founding in 1963.
• The 50-yard line at the Acrisure Bounce House lines up on the exact latitude as Launch Complex 39A, NASA's most historic launchpad, 31 miles to the east of campus.
• 29 percent of Kennedy Space Center employees are UCF alumni.

About the Buffaloes

CU is led by 10th-year head coach JR Payne, who has led the Buffs to a 176-122 (.591) record as CU's eighth head women's basketball coach. Coach Payne has been extended through the 2028 season and has led the Buffs to three NCAA appearances, two WNIT appearances and one WBIT appearance. In its second year back in the Big 12, Colorado was picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 Preseason Poll. Colorado is 112-152 (.424) overall in Big 12 conference play. - From Colorado Game Notes

It's Khy Time
Junior Khyala Ngodu led UCF to its first Big 12 win of the season at Arizona with a dominant 22-point, 13-rebound double-double in Tucson, also adding a team-leading five assists and four steals. The performance ranks among the best in the Big 12 this season, as Ngodu is one of four players in the Big 12 this season to secure a 20-point double-double in a conference game (Audi Crooks - Iowa State, Marta Suarez - TCU, Reese Ross - Utah). It joins a similar 21-point, 13-rebound performance against Wake Forest at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout on Nov. 27. Ngodu is one of just 12 players in the NCAA this season to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 4+ steals in a single game (1 of 4 in Power 4). The junior followed it up with her second consecutive double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) against Cincinnati on Jan. 14.

Harmon's Career Day
The best in a line of incredible performances to open her UCF account, Leah Harmon scored 38 points vs. Kansas on Jan. 4, a career high for the sophomore and the third most by a Knight in a single game since 1999. The total also marks the fifth most by a player in the Big 12 this season, the second most by a player in a Big 12 matchup, and is tied for the 14th most points by a player in the NCAA this season. The New Jersey native now ranks seventh in the Big 12 with 17.2 points per game and 73rd in the nation in scoring average.

Paint Production
UCF has been dominant in the paint through the season, outscoring its opposition 596-492 (+104) below the basket. The Knights have tallied two 52-point outings and five 40-plus-point performances in the paint, winning the matchup 11 of 17 contests. UCF's post players are averaging nearly 30 points a game, with Khyala Ngodu leading the charge with 11.2 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 17 games, that sentiment rings true, as the Knights currently rank seventh in the Big 12 and 107th in the NCAA with 22.3 points per game off the bench. In non-conference action, the Black and Gold's bench outscored their opponents bench 379-273 (+106), reaching 20-plus in 10 contests and 30-plus in five games.

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.