Thursday night UCF tipped off their final game of the regular season at home against #13 USF for Senior Night.  The Lady Knights were looking to avenge a tough 3 point loss Tuesday night at USF for what determined the regular season conference title.

If one wasn’t aware of the rivalry between UCF & USF, it became quickly apparent.  Within the first few possessions of the game & the score 3-2 in favor of USF, a small scuffle ensued after Diamond Battles crashed to the floor for a loose ball.  After play resumed, it became apparent that UCF was not allowing USF to leave Additional Financial Arena with the win.

With 7 min left in the 1st quarter & the score tied at 8, Masseny Kaba’s free throws gave UCF lead.  The Knights never looked back again.  UCF went on a tear of 8 unanswered points while holding USF scoreless for the remainder of the quarter to favor UCF 18-8. 

Scoring in the 2nd & 3rd quarters were much closer, with USF only able to cut into the UCF lead by 1 pt.  Down the stretch, UCF’s defense proved to be too much for USF to overcome.  UCF held the Bulls to only 10 pts while posting 14 to cap of the win 58-45.

Box score – UCF dominated shooting from the field & the arc.  UCF hit 47.8% field & 66.7% arc to USF’s 25.5% field & 31.8% arc.

UCF finished with 4 starters in double digit scoring.  Masseny Kaba led all scorers with 16 pts & 9 rebounds, Brittney Smith 10 pts, Diamond Battles 11 pts, & Alisha Lewis 10 pts.

USF had 2 starters finish in double digits.  Elena Tsineke 15 pts while teammate Bethy Mununga posted a double double of 11 pts & 15 rebounds. 

The Lady Knights improved their record to 14-3 overall & 12-2 in AAC conference play.  The USF loss drops the Lady Bulls to 15-3 overall & 12-2 in the AAC.  Although their conference records were the same & even with UCF & USF splitting their series, the USF Bulls were awarded the regular season conference title based on percentage points.

USF & UCF get a 1st round bye in the AAC Tournament as the #1 & #2 seeds repsectively, which begins on Monday in Ft Worth, TX.  Tuesday USF will face the winner of #8Tulsa/#9Wichita St at 3pm, while #2 UCF will face winner of #7Cincy/#10 Memphis at 7pm.

Photo credit: Sean Russell