ORLANDO - In its penultimate home contest of the season, UCF women’s basketball struggled to overcome a difficult first quarter, falling 93-67 to Kansas State on Wednesday night at Addition Financial Arena.
A career-high 22 points from Kayanna Cox, making her first start in Black and Gold, led an overall strong night for the UCF offense. However, an efficient Wildcats display, downing 11 threes and tallying 20 points in transition, put the bout out of reach.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Making her first start in Black and Gold and fresh off a season-high 13 points against No. 12 Baylor, Kayanna Cox set the tone for the Knights offensively with five early points. A Jacorriah Bracey jumpshot opened a three-point lead; however, K-State pieced together an 8-0 run in just over 30 seconds behind a pair of three-pointers to force UCF into an early timeout.
Just as the Wildcats opened up the arc, they immediately found two easy layups to continue their strong first-quarter run. A tough finish from Mahogany Chandler-Roberts at the rim discontinued the stretch, though the visitors sustained a fast-paced offensive approach that grew their lead to 30-14 at quarter’s end.
After the Wildcats scored the first four points of the second period, Khyala Ngodu responded with three-consecutive buckets, each coming in the paint as her physicality was a beacon for the UCF offense as it tried to stay within striking distance.
An Ayson layup and Cox three-pointer cut the Wildcat lead down to 13, with the Knights’ defense providing the offense to secure momentum on the other end, holding K-State to two of seven from the field. Just as the hosts looked to close their deficit to single digits, a three-pointer and a fast break layup turned the tide and forced the Knight into another timeout.
A 48-28 K-State lead at the half was widened out of halftime as each team exchanged blows for the first two minutes. The difference came from the visitors' lethal range from beyond the arc, converting three from deep to sustain control of the contest.
The Knights’ offense found its stride in the third quarter, and while it wasn’t enough to keep the bout within 10 points, Cox surpassed her career-high with 14 points in the period on a trio of threes to get the home faithful out of their seats.
UP NEXT
With just three regular-season games remaining, the Knights will hit the road for their second contest of the season against Cincinnati. Tipoff from Fifth Third Arena is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
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.