The 2025 season is under way for UCF Knights Women’s Hoops as they hosted the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Addition Financial Arena in a 75-36 win.
Khyala is an X-Factor
She may have had only three points in the first quarter, but veteran Khyala Ngodu was doing everything else to get the Knights off the ground with a 15-5 lead after the first 10 minutes.
She grabbed three boards with a block and a steal which she turned into an assist to Summer Yancy on a fast break. As the team’s defensive field general, Ngodu was calling out defensive adjustments and hyping up the squad during the game. She finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
New Names Getting Involved
With only three players on the roster who returned from last year, developing the new blood is essential.
If Ngodu is the defensive leader, Leah Harmon is shining early, running the offense. She finished the contest with 14 points as the team’s leading scorer and has emerged as a big contributor right off the bat.
However, with Ngodu and Harmon both with three fouls in the third quarter, others stepped up as well. Savannah Scott played big, putting up six points in the third and finishing with 10 while contributing two blocks and four rebounds.
Not to be outdone, Jaccoriah Bracey was the fourth Knight with 10 or more points while leading the team with seven rebounds.
Learning is Best in a Win
With a dominant win over the Wild Cats, head coach Sytia Messer mentioned that she appreciated the team’s cohesion and ability to pass the ball for points. Part of that was citing Harmon as “the first true point guard” she’s coached here at UCF.
Coach Messer elaborated on her team turning in 20 assists as a team. “Leah does a great job — and our players collectively — passing the ball, contributing and getting everyone involved. . . ”.
However before hosting the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, coach Messer and the team will be working to see improvement in protecting the basketball. The Knights gave up 23 turnovers compared to BCU’s 26.
Coach mentioned that points off turnovers is the best way for them to score in these early games until they get the chemistry and cohesion better. “That’s what’s going to help us reach our goal when it comes to victories.”
Sunday may also serve to build that chemistry as they continue to get sharp for the start of Big 12 Conference play come December 20th hosting BYU.
