In their penultimate home game this season at Addition Financial Arena, UCF Knights Women’s Basketball hoped to break a seven-game slump against the Kansas State Wildcats. However, the skid continues after the 93-67 loss to the Wildcats.
Harmon and Yancy Out
Star player Leah Harmon and starting point guard Summer Yancey were both sidelined with injury for the contest. The Wildcats were able to take advantage of this early with a pair of big runs in the first quarter. One for 14 points that was followed up by a 6-point streak, which led to a 30-14 Knights deficit after the first 10 minutes.
Kansas State came out with a full-court press that led to three UCF turnovers, creating easy baskets and 81.3% shooting in the period.
As Jaccoriah Bracey began to stay back to support Kayana Cox bringing the ball down the court, the mistakes were reduced. However, there was still some chaos for the Knights trying to set up their offense. This is why UCF was down 48-28 at the half.
Despite Cox’s early struggles, she posted a career-high in her first start of the year with 22 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. She hit five of her 10 attempts from beyond the arc, matching a season-high for the Knights this year for three-pointers made in a game by a single player.
KSU’s top performer was Tess Heal. She finished the evening as one of four Wildcats in double digits scoring with 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Three more to go
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the next opponent. When asked what she expects from that road matchup Saturday at 2 pm on ESPN, head coach Sytia Messer said, “… Going on the road, it’s tough to play any team in the Big 12. — But our thing is next game. . . we’ve got to keep fighting.”
UCF then returns home on Wednesday to host the #19 West Virginia Mountaineers for Senior Night to close the home slate. The regular season ends on the road facing the Houston Cougars on March 1st.
