ORLANDO – UCF women’s basketball (4-1) secured its third consecutive victory Friday night, defeating Le Moyne, 77-44, at Addition Financial Arena. The Knights used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Dolphins, remaining undefeated at home under head coach Gabe Lazo.
After holding a narrow three-point advantage at halftime, the Knights erupted for 28 points in the third quarter to take control of the contest. UCF finished with five players scoring in double figures, highlighted by a strong performance from Nyla McFadden, setting a UCF career high 14 points.
QUICK HITS
- Five Knights scored in double figures for the second time this season, as McFadden, Vittoria Blasigh, Caitlyn Jones and Key Roseby each contributed 14 points, while Mahogany Chandler-Roberts added 11.
- The Knights outscored the Dolphins 28-13 in the third quarter. The 15-point difference marks UCF's best scoring disparity in a third quarter this season and second best overall, behind an 18-point advantage in the first quarter against Austin Peay on Wednesday.
- McFadden set a new UCF career high with 14 points, doing so on just five field-goal attempts.
- Mahogany Chandler-Roberts tied her career high with two three-pointers made while setting a new career high with six three-point attempts. She has scored in double figures in every game this season.
- Candace Kpetikou pulled down 10 rebounds, matching her overall career high previously achieved at Washington State and Miami.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Knights got off to a slow start offensively, shooting just 2-of-9 from the field in the opening five minutes. Vittoria Blasigh opened the scoring for UCF with a jumper before Caitlyn Jones helped the Knights find their rhythm, recording three baskets in the opening quarter, including a steal and finger-roll layup on the fast break.
A pair of free throws from Nyla McFadden gave UCF its first lead of the night at 10-9, an advantage the Knights maintained through the end of the opening period.
Key Roseby knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to extend the Knights’ advantage to 18-11 early in the second quarter. Le Moyne responded with a 7-0 run to even the score at 18 before McFadden converted a second-chance layup to put UCF back in front.
The two sides continued to battle throughout the remainder of the half before Blasigh connected on a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Knights into the break with a 26-23 advantage.
Mahogany Chandler-Roberts opened the second half with a three-pointer before the Dolphins responded with seven unanswered points to regain the advantage. Chandler-Roberts answered with another triple to put UCF back in front before converting a three-point play to bring her third-quarter total to nine points.
McFadden added an and-one opportunity before Jones converted a fast-break layup as the Knights used an 18-2 run to build their largest advantage of the night at 47-32. McFadden followed with another three-point play, bringing her point total to a season-high 14.
UCF outscored Le Moyne 28-13 in the third quarter, surpassing its entire first-half scoring output and carrying an 18-point advantage into the final period.
The Knights continued to pull away in the fourth quarter as Blasigh connected on her third and fourth three-pointers of the night, while Roseby added her third triple to help extend UCF’s advantage to 28 points.
Freshman Jabria Lindsey joined the scoring in the closing minutes, recording her first collegiate field goal as the Knights closed out their third consecutive victory.
McFadden, Blasigh, Jones and Roseby each contributed 14 points, while Chandler-Roberts added 11 to round out the five Knights in double figures. Blasigh also dished out five assists, tying her career high, while Candace Kpetikou grabbed 10 rebounds to match her career best.
UP NEXT
The Knights continue their five-game homestand on Tuesday, Nov. 17, welcoming North Florida to Addition Financial Arena for an 11 a.m. tipoff. The matchup marks the fourth game of UCF’s five-game home stretch.
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.