HOW IT HAPPENED
Vittoria Blasigh got the Knights off to a strong start, connecting on her first two shots of the game with a turnaround jumper followed by a three-pointer for an early five points. Mahogany Chandler-Roberts continued the early offensive momentum, converting on an and-one and grabbing an extra layup to give the Knights an early 18-2 lead.
Blasigh connected on her second three of the night, as Key Roseby showed off her defensive efforts with a block from behind, helping boost the Knights to a 16-0 first-quarter scoring run.
The Knights shot 77 percent from the field to finish the first quarter, with Blasigh in double digits and Chandler Roberts with seven points. They were not shy on the boards either, outrebounding Austin Peay 10 to 3 and holding them to seven points, the lowest they’ve conceded in a quarter all season.
Blasigh carried her strong performance into the second quarter, knocking down her third three-pointer of the game to tie her season high. The Knights struggled with turnovers early in the period, giving the ball away on three consecutive possessions before Chandler-Roberts broke the streak with a fast-break layup. UCF later went four minutes without a basket before Nyla McFadden ended the scoring drought to get the Knights back on the board.
Chandler-Roberts added a late offensive spark, connecting on a three-pointer in the final minutes to bring UCF’s lead to 16. She followed it up with a layup in the final possession for the Knights. Chandler-Roberts and Blasigh led the way for the Knights in the first half with 14 and 13 points, respectively, boosting UCF to a 39-24 halftime advantage.
UCF opened the second half with an and-one from McFadden, followed by a turnaround jumper and three-pointer from Roseby to extend the Knights' lead to 23 and force an Austin Peay timeout.
Caitlyn Jones came out of the timeout ready for play, with a driving layup to push the Knights' offense. Roseby followed suit, knocking down her second three of the game, followed by an and-one layup, converting on the free throw. The Dallas native finished with 11 third-quarter points, shooting 4/5 from the field in the period, and helping take a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Governors responded to begin the final period, cutting the deficit to four with just one minute remaining, but the Knights held on behind clutch free throws from Roseby and Blasigh to secure a 64-59 victory.
Blasigh finished with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Chandler-Roberts recorded her third consecutive 15-plus-point game, finishing with 16 and five rebounds. Roseby had her second-best scoring performance of the season, finishing with 13
UP NEXT
The Knights remain in Orlando for the Men's and Women's Basketball double-header, hosting Le Moyne on Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Addition Financial Arena.
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.
