HOW IT HAPPENED
A trio of offensive boards and five UCF turnovers highlighted a difficult opening five minutes of action for the Knights. One of the Big 12’s best defenses caused problems for the Black and Gold offense, connecting on just two of their first seven field goal attempts.
Out of the media timeout, the Knights found their stride, going on a 9-2 run behind a pair of Savannah Scott layups and a Kristol Ayson three, bringing the contest within three heading into the second. The former made her presence known in the paint with key offensive boards to extend plays and, in turn, five second-chance points in the sequence.
While the opening 10 minutes came to a conclusion with a UCF surge, the hosts took back momentum with a 10-2 stretch to widen their lead to nine. Seven straight points from the Black and Gold posts served as a much-needed spark, though the Bears continued to force turnovers from the Knights to open up a 34-23 lead at the half.
Eight points from Scott and another seven from Ayson led the charge for UCF, while 17 first-half points from Baylor’s Taliah Scott, who ranks second in the conference in points per game (20.5), highlighted the hosts' offensive production.
An even third quarter left the Knights down 15 and out of striking distance after Baylor continued to find space beyond the arc, converting its eighth and ninth threes of the contest, marking the most the UCF defense has allowed this season.
In the fourth, Ngodu knocked down six of her six free throw attempts, though UCF's presence at the charity stripe couldn't slow down the fast-paced Bears.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return to Orlando for their second-consecutive ranked matchup as they welcome No. 9 TCU to Addition Financial Arena for a Saturday tilt at 2 p.m.
