HOW IT HAPPENED
A sluggish start from both squads saw the visitors take a 7-5 lead into the first media timeout, as the ‘Nauts found good looks but couldn’t connect outside of a Jacorriah Bracey layup. Out of the break, the UCF offense found its stride, with Bracey supplying another nice finish at the rim before Mahogany Chandler-Roberts downed a jumper at the top of the key.
The sophomore stayed hot from beyond the arc in the final minute, cutting the UCF deficit to four with her second three of the season, though the Buffaloes' continued ability to get to the line put them back up five at the quarter’s end.
While turnovers proved to be an Achilles heel in the opening 10 minutes, UCF’s composed attack to open the second quarter flipped the script. Kayanna Cox’s smooth jumper set the tone for a Summer Yancy takeover. After hitting a pair of free throws on the back of a Colorado three-pointer, Yancy put the home faithful on their feet with back-to-back threes of her own, with the first leveling the contest before the second put ‘Nauts up three, 25-22, heading into the media timeout.
The offense and defense found fusion at the perfect time, holding the Buffs to just a 1-11 clip from the field throughout the majority of the second, amassing a near-five-minute scoring drought while on the other end finding consistent scoring to grow UCF’s lead to double digits. The spell highlighted the hosts' depth, as Cox, Kristol Ayson and Savannah Scott each featured in the second-quarter dominance.
While Colorado scored five points across the final 90 seconds, the ‘Nauts outscored them 25-10 in a well-rounded display which included a 20-3 run in over seven minutes of play. Yancy led the way with 10 points and four boards, emphasizing her two-way talents that have been a constant for the team throughout Big 12 play.
A much-needed break in play for the visitors proved crucial, as Colorado came out on a 12-2 run to open the second half and level the game at 41-all. The hosts eventually locked in on defense and halted the Buffs' stampede, and in turn, outscoring the visitors 10-4 before a three-pointer at the buzzer from Colorado put UCF up just one, 51-50, heading into the fourth quarter.
Colorado opened the fourth similarly to the third, piecing together an impressive 8-3 run to open a six-point advantage. From there, it was all Canaveral blue as the ‘Nauts concluded the game on a 20-8 run over the final seven minutes to secure their second Big 12 win of the season and first at home.
Critical stops on defense were joined with Yancy’s conclusion to her career performance, scoring 13 in the fourth quarter to propel the ‘Nauts to the win.
UP NEXT
The Knights will hit the road for a Wednesday tilt at No. 18 Baylor, with tipoff from Foster Pavillion set for 8 p.m. EST.
