BYU looks for second-straight win as UCF makes first trip to Provo

PROVO, Utah — BYU looks for its second-straight win as the UCF Knights visit Provo for the two schools' first-ever matchup at the Marriott Center on Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT with the game streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast live on BYU Radio with Jason Shepherd on the call. 

Matchup Breakdown
The Cougars and Knights last met on Feb. 13, 2024, with the Cougars taking home a 64-60 win in Orlando. In that game, Lauren Gustin recorded a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double with Kailey Woolston providing 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting and five rebounds. Amari Whiting was the third Cougar to finish in double figures as she poured in 11 points, five rebounds and an assist. 

All-Time: 1-0

At BYU: Never Played

Whiting vs. UCF: 1-0

BYU Cougars  ||  11-10, 2-8  ||  Big 12 Conference

WHAT'S AT STAKE  ||  With a win, BYU would record back-to-back wins for the first time since December when the Cougars knocked off Utah Valley and Washington State. BYU would also move to 2-0 all-time against the Knights.

FIRST-START JITTERS...NAH  ||  Kambree Barber made her first-career start against ASU and did not disappoint. The freshman set or tied seven career highs in points (15), rebounds (12), assists (3), blocks (2), field goals (7), 3-point field goals (1) and minutes played (27). Her 15-point, 12-rebound double-double earned her Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 3.

CONGDON IS SCORING AT WILL  ||  Kemery Congdon is a senior leader for the Cougars and has provided a huge lift over the last four games. The fifth-year senior has scored 14.3 points on 47.7 percent shooting and a 51.9 percent clip from three. She is the second-leading scorer for the Cougars over that stretch.

COUGAR ASSIST CLUB  ||  BYU has assisted on 326-of-538 (.606) field goals this year and has had three or more players finish in double-figures in 14 of 21 games. In wins this season, BYU averages 18 assists in comparison to just 12.9 in losses. In BYU’s two conference wins over Houston and ASU, BYU averages 24.5 assists and has assisted on 76.2 percent of its made field goals (48-of-63).

VALUING THE BASKETBALL  ||  Ball security is crucial for BYU. In Big 12 play, the Cougars have committed 17.6 turnovers per game and opponents have scored 18.4 points off giveaways. In wins this season, BYU only coughs it up 13.6 times and surrenders 11.4 points off turnovers. In losses, BYU averages 18.7 giveaways and 18.4 points given up.

FINISHING POSSESSIONS  ||  Crashing the defensive glass has been a point of emphasis for Whiting’s squad. BYU has given up 11.4 offensive boards and 13.7 second-chance points in Big 12 games. In their two conference wins over Houston and ASU, BYU only surrendered 10.5 O-boards and 10.5 second-chance points.

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 43-44  ||  3rd Season
• Record at BYU: 43-44  ||  3rd Season

UCF Knights  ||  8-12, 1-9  ||  Big 12 Conference

ALL EYES ON PETERSON  ||  Kaitlin Peterson is the leading scorer for the Knights at 21 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting and 32 percent from downtown. On the season, the senior also averages 2.4 steals, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. 

Despite her strong season overall, Peterson’s production actually increases in road contests. The 5-9 guard averages 23.6 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting and a 41.9 percent clip from three, a 9.9-percent increase in 3-point percentage away from Addition Financial Arena. Peterson also averages 2.6 steals, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds on the road.

CRASHING THE GLASS  ||  The Knights make a living on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by 3.7 boards per game. UCF also averages 12.6 offensive rebounds per contest, the fourth-most in the Big 12, a recent struggle for the Cougars.

SCORING BY COMMITTEE  ||  On the road, the Knights have five players that average 9.0 or more points per game with each player shooting over 35 percent from the floor. 

Peterson leads UCF at 23.6 points on 40.4 percent shooting with Hannah Gusters second at 12.3 points on 48.7 percent shooting. Emely Rodriguez and Nevaeh Brown each score 9.2 points on 37.8 and 40.9 percent shooting respectively with Adeang Ring pouring in nine points on a 35 percent clip.

Head Coach – Sytia Messer

• Alma Mater: Arkansas, 2000
• Career Record: 88-85  ||  6th Season
• Record at Arizona State: 34-44  ||  3rd Season