ORLANDO - In a second-straight ranked matchup, UCF Women’s Basketball fell to No. 9 TCU, 67-50, at Addition Financial Arena Saturday Afternoon.
A strong second-half display wasn’t enough to overcome the Horned Frogs’ halftime advantage, as the visitors connected on six threes in the opening 20 minutes to grow their lead. While the Knights kept control of the ball, suffering a season-low nine turnovers, Mahogany Chandler-Robert’s career-high 17 points were the main spark in UCF’s offensive efforts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Against one of the nation’s top offenses, the Knights’ defense held its own in the opening five minutes of action, forcing a pair of turnovers while holding the Horned Frogs to a 2-7 shooting clip from the field during the stretch. While UCF protected the paint, the visitors found space beyond the arc, connecting on a trio of threes to take a 16-9 lead into the first media timeout.
Seven points from Chandler-Roberts, including her fourth three-pointer of the season, were the lone offensive spark for UCF. Out of the break, a 9-0 run from the Horned Frogs was broken four minutes in by a tough Khyala Ngodu finish at the basket. Still, TCU continued to spread the ball across the floor, hitting threes and, in turn, opening up space below the rim.
A pull-up jumper from Jaccoriah Bracey to beat the buzzer rounded out the half, with the Knights trailing 37-16.
The Knights had the upper hand in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field and forcing the Horned Frogs to 0-9 from beyond the arc. The efficient shooting would outscore TCU by five, but it would not close the deficit enough, trailing 48-32 entering the fourth.
Both sides made their mark in the paint throughout the fourth, as the Black and Gold continued to chip away at the deficit, though TCU remained in a comfortable lead until the final whistle.
UP NEXT
The Knights will enjoy a midweek break before hitting the road once again for a Saturday tilt with Iowa State in Ames.