QUICK HITTERS
- Gabe Lazo is one of six UCF head coaches to begin their career as a Knight with a win.
- UCF has won their last eight season openers dating back to a 61-58 victory at Pitt on Nov. 7, 2018.
- Key Roseby set a career high with six 3-pointers, surpassing her previous best of four, which she accomplished four times, most recently against Lamar on Feb. 7, 2026.
- Five Knights scored in double figures for the first time since Nov. 16, 2024, when UCF defeated Stetson, 89-58.
- The Knights held Florida A&M to just 27.6 percent shooting from the field, the lowest by a UCF opponent since Bethune-Cookman shot 24.4 percent in the Knights’ 75-36 last season-opening victory on Nov. 3, 2025.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Candace Kpetikou got the Knights on the board early with a layup in the paint, answering an opening basket from Florida A&M. UCF established its defensive presence with six steals in the first quarter, despite picking up five fouls before the five-minute mark.
Nyla McFadden extended the Knights’ lead to eight with a fast break layup midway through the period. Caitlyn Jones followed with an and-one finish in transition, while Mahogany Chandler-Roberts closed the quarter with a block to send UCF into the second quarter with a 12-point advantage.
Vittoria Blasigh opened the second quarter with a quick layup, but the Rattlers responded with a fast break 3-pointer. Mikalya Johnson snapped a two-minute scoring drought before Keyera Roseby connected on her second triple of the night.
The Black and Gold followed with a 6-0 run over three minutes to extend their lead into double digits. Johnson knocked down her first 3-pointer of the contest with 30 seconds remaining on the half, while Jasmynne Gibson intercepted a Rattlers pass and converted two free throws after being fouled at the rim.
The Knights defense held Florida A&M’s offense to only 8 points in the second quarter and headed into the half with a commanding 20-point lead.
Chandler-Roberts came out of the locker room attacking the basket, drawing two fouls and converting on her free-throws. The Rattlers responded with five points in the opening three minutes, but Jones answered with a block and fast-break layup to keep the Knights in control
Jones continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor, dishing out two assists as Roseby caught fire from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard scored on three consecutive possessions, knocking down two triples and adding a fast-break layup.
Florida A&M managed five points in the final two minutes of the third, but the Knights maintained their advantage headed into the final 10-minutes.
Kpetikou opened the fourth quarter with a turnaround jumper in the paint to reach double figures. Roseby continued her consistent shooting performance,adding five points in a two-minute stretch to keep the Black and Gold rolling.
The Knights and Rattlers traded baskets throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter, but UCF maintained control down the stretch to secure its ninth consecutive season-opening victory.
