HOUSTON - In its regular-season finale, UCF women’s basketball rose to the occasion on the road and disposed of Houston, 72-62, at the Fertitta Center on Sunday afternoon.
Dominating displays from post players Khyala Ngodu and Mahogany Chandler-Roberts led the charge for the Knights, who outscored the Cougars 42-32 in the paint. The win marked the third-consecutive over Houston and the second Big 12 road win of the campaign.
QUICK HITS
- Ngodu secured her third 20-point double-double of the season in yet another signature display. Ngodu is one of just four players in the Big 12 with three or more 20-point double-doubles this season
- The Knights saw four players score 10 or more points, including a season-high 16 points from Kristol Ayson
- Chandler-Roberts tallied her 11th game this season with 10 or more points, including her 7th across her last 10 contests
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Knights instantly looked inside through the early stages of the contest, finding Mahogany Chandler-Roberts and Khyala Ngodu for a pair of early buckets. UCF’s physicality also put them at the line, as three and-one opportunities highlighted an 11-10 lead at the first media timeout.
Ngodu, on the back of a 21-point, nine-rebound performance, made her mark with nine first-quarter points. While 16 of the Knights’ 21 points in the period came in the paint, three rejections also drew attention on the defensive end. A 21-19 advantage after 10 continued the Black and Gold’s energetic early spells over the last three games.
A few key offensive boards put the Cougars back in the lead to begin the second quarter. Through a more gritty defensive performance from the hosts, the Knights still got production from Ngdou and Chandler-Roberts, who had a clear physical advantage on both ends of the floor.
Houston connected on a pair of threes to open up the perimeter, forcing the Knights to withstand a faster-paced attack than in the first period. While the posts sustained their dominance down low, a 0-4 stretch from the field during the dying minutes of the half halted UCF’s charge to reclaim the lead, with the visitors trailing Houston 38-36 at the break. Ngodu’s 16 first-half points, alongside five rebounds and three blocks, led the way for the Knights.
Both teams exchanged blows throughout the first six minutes of the third, as the scrappy bout was won and lost in the paint. Off the bench, Savannah Scott and Jasmynne Gibson facilitated the Knights’ dominating post play, leveling the bout at 47 apiece in the process.
Over the final two minutes and change of the third, UCF’s offense fired on all cylinders, piecing together a 9-0 scoring run capped by a Jacorriah Bracey three-pointer in the final seconds. The stretch put the Knights up 56-49 and in pole position to close out the regular season in style.
Just as the Black and Gold seemed to be controlling the fourth quarter, a 6-0 Houston run out of a timeout put the hosts down just three, 60-57, with five minutes on the clock. Costly turnovers opened the door for the hosts, though after a second timeout, the Knights calmed down and found Ngodu for a tough finish at the time to break a nearly six-minute dry spell.
The Knights outscored the Cougars 12-3 in the final three minutes, knocking down 10 free throws under pressure to fend off the hosts.
UP NEXT
The Knights move their focus to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. As the 14th-seed, UCF will match up with 11th-seeded Kansas on Wednesday at 8 p.m. from T-Mobile Center.
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.